Deprescribing in General Practice

This is a review of the literature of the relevant topic area. In the literature that is identified, where GRADE certainty of evidence is available, this will be presented. Systematic review evidence is presented where possible. Deprescribing can be defined as “the process of withdrawal of an inappropriate medicine, supervised by a healthcare professional with the goal of managing polypharmacy and improving outcomes”. Alternative terms used in the literature for deprescribing include rationalisation, de-escalation and withdrawal of medicines.