Stopping Medications

Being under Hospice Care represents a new phase and many medications are no longer needed and may be unsafe to keep taking

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Why Medications Are Often Stopped

  • Some medications were started years ago to prevent problems over time.
  • When the focus shifts to comfort, those long-term prevention goals may no longer be necessary

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  • Many medications have unwanted side effects and may cause more harm than good.
  • As the body becomes more fragile, medications can have stronger than expected side effects
  • Symptoms that can be aggravated at this stage of illness include: dry mouth, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, nausea, constipation.
  • This time is for comfort and multiple medications can be difficult to swallow. It also may interfere with other medications and not work as intended at this stage of illness

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Continuing Medications

  • There is a common misconception that entering hospice care means stopping all medications
  • The general principal that is followed by hospice is that medications related to the terminal illness are continued

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Medications To Consider Stopping

  • Cholesterol meds - Statins
  • Vitamins and supplements
  • Osteoporosis meds
  • Most eye drops for Glaucoma (discuss with Hospice Team)

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Medications That Require Careful Review

  • Blood thinners, aspirin, diabetes medications, blood pressure, thyroid, medications for dementia Medications that have been given for the "heart or head" may need to be tapered off (decreasing dose over time).
  • Whether to stop these can be done in consultation with the Hospice Team
  • This is good time to discuss all medications with your Hospice Team. Do not stop any medication without discussing it with your Hospice Team

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