Chronic conditions and medicine safety
Taking several medicines: when a medication review is useful
When older adults taking several medicines may benefit from a review, what the consultation considers, and how to agree on a practical treatment and follow-up plan.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Nishant Kumar on 17 October 2026.
Several medicines can be appropriate—and still deserve review
Taking several medicines does not automatically mean that treatment is wrong. An older person with several long-term conditions may need different medicines for different purposes. The important question is whether each medicine, and the combination, remains appropriate for that individual. WHO emphasizes person-centred medication safety: the aim is to preserve benefits while addressing avoidable harm. [1]
A medication review is an opportunity to discuss treatment as a whole. It can connect prescriptions from different clinicians with the patient’s current health, daily routine and priorities. It is not a competition to achieve the smallest possible number of tablets, and it should not start with a decision that medicines must be stopped. [1]
When is a review particularly useful?
Discuss a review if treatment has become difficult to manage or if health and circumstances have changed. Recent hospital care, falls, increasing frailty and complex combinations of medicines are situations that can make a structured review particularly valuable. A specific concern can justify a review even when the medicine list is short. [3]
Changes such as dizziness, sleepiness or memory difficulty can sometimes be related to medicines, but they also have other causes. Report the symptoms rather than assuming the medicine is responsible. Mention when a symptom began and whether a prescription, dose, diet or routine changed around that time. [4,5]
- Prescriptions have changed after a hospital stay or visits to several clinicians.
- You are uncertain which medicines are still intended to continue.
- Taking treatment is becoming difficult, or you are missing doses.
- You have concerns about possible unwanted effects or interactions.
What happens during a medication review?
The clinician first needs an accurate account of what is actually taken. For each medicine, the discussion considers its purpose, likely benefit, possible unwanted effects and how it fits with the other treatments and medical history. Practical use matters: difficulty with an inhaler, eye drops or swallowing can limit benefit even when the prescription itself is appropriate. [2]
The review should include the patient’s experience. Which symptoms need better control? Which part of the routine causes difficulty? What concerns have made you reluctant to take a medicine? These questions help identify priorities rather than treating the prescription as a list detached from daily life. [2]
Include products that do not appear on a prescription
Bring current prescriptions and all regularly or occasionally used products, including pain or cold remedies, vitamins, herbal preparations, creams and eye drops. Record the actual use rather than copying an old prescription that no longer reflects the routine. Non-prescription products can still matter when treatment is assessed. [5]
Explain any allergies, previous reactions, missed doses, swallowing difficulties or problems recognizing different medicines. Mention other treating clinicians. A family member may help with the history and questions, with the older person’s agreement. Bring medicine containers if preparing a reliable list is difficult. [5]
Does a review mean stopping medicines?
No. A review may support continuing treatment, improving how a medicine is used, adjusting a dose or addressing a problem that has not been adequately treated. Reducing or stopping a medicine may be appropriate in some circumstances, but the decision depends on its purpose, benefits, risks and the patient’s preferences. [3]
Do not skip doses, change a dose or stop prescribed treatment on your own because you feel better, believe it is ineffective or have read an article. Discuss concerns with the treating clinician. If stopping is agreed, ask whether a gradual reduction is needed and how the change will be monitored. [2,4]
Leave with a clear plan and a named follow-up responsibility
Ask for an understandable record of what has been agreed. It should distinguish what continues, what changes and what still needs clarification. Confirm who will communicate relevant changes to other clinicians and, with appropriate consent, caregivers or the pharmacy. [3]
Clarify the expected benefit, monitoring, review timing and whom to contact if difficulties arise. Ask for a written plan or medicine schedule when instructions are complicated, and make follow-up responsibilities clear. [3]
Do not wait for a routine review if you are acutely unwell
Contact a healthcare professional promptly about a suspected unwanted effect. A sudden or severe deterioration needs urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for a scheduled review. Symptoms should not be dismissed as ageing or attributed to a medicine without assessment. [4,5]
For a routine medication review at Jeevan-Prerana Senior Citizens’ Clinic, Boring Road, Patna, bring your prescriptions, medicine containers and the questions that matter most to you. The consultation can help decide which concerns need attention and how to coordinate the next steps.
Key takeaways
- Several medicines may be appropriate; review their overall benefit, safety and practicality.
- Request a review when treatment, health or the ability to manage medicines changes.
- Include non-prescription products, supplements and the medicines you actually take.
- Agree on any treatment changes with your clinician and clarify monitoring and follow-up.
- Acute deterioration needs timely assessment, not a routine medication-review appointment.
Sources and further reading
- Medication safety in polypharmacy: technical report — World Health Organization
- CGA in Primary Care Settings: Medication review — British Geriatrics Society
- A person-centred approach to polypharmacy and medication review — NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service
- 5 Medication Safety Tips for Older Adults — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- As You Age: You and Your Medicines — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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