Abstract
Introduction: Inappropriate polypharmacy in older adults with dementia is a global public health problem. This article describes the indications and gives guidelines for the deprescription of cognitive enhancers (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine), and psychotropic drugs in patients with dementia.
Materials and methods: This is a narrative review article based on the state of the art on deprescribing in the elderly with dementia.
Results: Deprescribing does not mean limiting therapeutic efforts; on the contrary, it consists of a quaternary prevention strategy to reduce the risk of adverse reactions and identify scenarios where the clinical benefit is marginal. For this, it is necessary to actively track patients with dementia with an indication for deprescription (lack of adequate clinical response, disappearance of benefit with prolonged use, severe dementia, or palliative phase).
Discussion: Deprescribing processes vary depending on the pharmacological group and include progressive reductions in medication, as well as follow-up and monitoring to avoid clinical worsening. Medical education programs in deprescribing are required for students and practicing professionals, especially in primary care services in rural or dispersed areas, which constitutes an urgent call for neurology, psychiatry, and geriatrics.
Conclusion: The deprescription process in patients with dementia can be implemented under specific criteria and in an organized manner.
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