Conclusion

In conclusion, the most frequent medicine change was discontinuation due to lack of indication and most of the discontinued medicines were medicines that may cause adverse effects in older patients. A higher number of medicines, higher sedative and higher anticholinergic burden of the medicines, if the patient was motivated for medicine changes or had a prescription of metoclopramide, an iron preparation, other antidepressant (i.e. not selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug, or drug for urinary frequency and incontinence was associated with a higher number of overprescribed medicines. These patient- and medication-related factors could aid in identifying patients that will benefit most from medication reviews.