Pharmacology & drugs
Guidance on minimizing unnecessary polypharmacy in patients with limited life expectancy to focus on comfort care.
When life expectancy is limited, careful medication review aims to reduce burden, avoid harm, and emphasize comfort through thoughtful deprescribing, patient-centered goals, and collaborative, ethical decision making with clinicians, patients, and families.
Published by
Frank Miller
July 31, 2025 - 3 min Read
In medical practice, polypharmacy often arises from treating chronic conditions without considering the patient’s overall trajectory. For individuals nearing the end of life, the priority shifts from disease modification to symptom relief, functional comfort, and reducing treatment burden. Clinicians should initiate a structured medication review that includes all prescribed drugs, supplements, and over the counter agents. The aim is to identify medicines with limited or uncertain benefit in the current context and to assess potential interactions, adverse effects, and duplications. This process requires clear communication about goals, prognosis, and the patient’s values to determine which therapies remain appropriate.
A core step is to assemble a comprehensive medication list and liaise with caregivers to verify current use. This foundation supports shared decision making and helps prevent omissions during transitions between care settings. Physicians can categorize drugs into essential, optional, or potentially inappropriate given limited life expectancy. The focus should be on eliminating nonessential therapies that no longer contribute meaningful symptom control or quality of life. By aligning prescriptions with comfort-oriented goals, clinicians can reduce complexity, simplify regimens, and minimize medication-related adverse outcomes.
Prioritize comfort, safety, and clear communication in care decisions
Deprescribing is an active, collaborative process that requires respect for patient autonomy alongside clinical judgment. Clinicians should discuss the risks and benefits of continuing versus stopping each medication, especially those with slow onset or uncertain value. The conversation should emphasize symptom relief, ease of administration, and safety. For some patients, stopping a preventive drug may prevent burden without compromising comfort. Documentation should reflect agreed-upon decisions and the rationale, ensuring all members of the care team understand the plan. Ethical considerations include avoiding coercion and honoring patient or surrogate wishes whenever possible.
When considering stopping a drug, assess potential withdrawal effects, rebound symptoms, and the time horizon of benefit. In many cases, discontinuation leads to immediate improvements in well-being as side effects lessen. For example, reducing hypnotics may improve daytime functioning and reduce confusion in frail individuals. In other scenarios, a gradual taper might be necessary to minimize discomfort. Throughout this process, clinicians should monitor symptom trajectories, reassess goals, and adjust plans promptly if new burdens emerge or if comfort gains are not realized.
Integrate nonpharmacologic support with minimal pharmacotherapy
Education for patients and families is essential to ensure understanding and acceptance of deprescribing. Providers can explain that some medications may no longer serve a purpose given the current health status. They should also discuss how simplifying regimens can reduce errors, improve adherence, and lower distress for caregivers. Providing written summaries and timelines helps families track changes and know what to expect. Open discussions about expectations for relief from pain, dyspnea, anxiety, or agitation support a shared commitment to comfort-centered care.
In practice, clinicians should review drug classes known for limited benefit at end of life, such as long-term preventive therapies, certain lipid-lowering agents, or medications with delayed onset of action. The decision to discontinue should be individualized, taking into account comorbidities, functional status, and the patient’s preferences. It is acceptable to maintain a minimal set of essential drugs to manage distressing symptoms, while eliminating those unlikely to impact daily comfort. Regular reassessment ensures the plan remains aligned with evolving priorities and clinical realities.
Supportive, transparent, and patient-centered care planning
When pharmacologic relief is needed, clinicians should opt for the lowest effective doses and the simplest regimens. Short-acting agents may be preferred to facilitate rapid adjustments based on symptom fluctuations. Additionally, nonpharmacologic strategies—such as repositioning for comfort, environmental control of noise and light, and psychosocial support—can substantially improve well-being. Integrating these approaches reduces reliance on medications and supports holistic care. Families may benefit from respite services, caregiver education, and access to palliative care professionals who help harmonize medical plans with patient goals.
Coordinating care across settings is critical to sustain comfort-focused goals. Transitions between hospital, hospice, home, and skilled nursing facilities can lead to fragmented medication lists. A designated clinician or pharmacist should perform a concordant medication reconciliation at each transition, verify continued appropriateness, and communicate changes to all team members. This coordination minimizes duplications, avoids hazardous interactions, and preserves a coherent strategy focused on symptom relief and quality of life. Clear documentation and proactive communication reduce confusion for patients and families.
Practical steps for clinicians to reduce unnecessary polypharmacy
Planning conversations should include the patient whenever possible, with surrogate decision makers involved when necessary. Honest discussions about prognosis and realistic expectations help calibrate treatment choices. Clinicians should outline potential risks associated with continuing certain therapies, particularly those with minimal immediate benefit. Conversely, they should highlight opportunities for comfort improvements through symptom control measures and environmental adaptations. The overarching aim is to empower patients to guide their own care decisions and to ensure that treatment aligns with values.
Documentation of goals of care, preferred place of care, and comfort targets is essential. A concise plan that lists which medications are continued or stopped, along with symptom management strategies, provides clarity for families and care teams. Healthcare professionals should routinely review the plan, solicit feedback, and adjust as needs evolve. By keeping records transparent and up to date, clinicians reduce confusion, enhance trust, and support a calm, patient-centered care environment focused on relief and dignity.
A practical approach begins with a formalized de-prescribing protocol that prompts clinicians to examine each medication in light of life expectancy and comfort goals. This includes verifying the indication, time-to-benefit, potential harms, and whether the drug contributes to symptom relief. Engaging patients and families in this process fosters shared decision making and reduces resistance to stopping therapies. Clinicians should also consider simplifying dosing schedules, choosing safer alternatives when needed, and aligning prescriptions with the patient’s daily routines to minimize burden.
Finally, ongoing education for healthcare teams about end-of-life pharmacotherapy is essential. Training should emphasize ethical considerations, communication techniques, and practical strategies for minimizing polypharmacy. Regular case reviews can help identify patterns, celebrate successful deprescribing, and highlight areas for improvement. By maintaining an open, collaborative culture, providers can ensure that comfort remains the central aim, medications support rather than detract from quality of life, and patient dignity is preserved until the end.
