Background: Deprescribing is an integral part of patient care. The term 'deprescribing' may be new to some, but the concept is not. Deprescribing refers to the planned withdrawal of medicines that are causing harm or not helping an individual.

Objective: This article collates the latest evidence on deprescribing to guide general practitioners (GPs) and nurse practitioners on how to deprescribe for their elderly patients.

Discussion: Deprescribing is a safe and effective method of reducing polypharmacy and high-risk prescribing. The challenge for GPs in deprescribing medicines for older people is to avoid adverse drug withdrawal events. Strategies to deprescribe confidently in partnership with patients include incorporating a 'stop slow, go low' approach and careful consideration of the medicine withdrawal plan.