What Is Deprescribing? A Guide to Safely Reducing Medications

Deprescription or deprescribing is a deliberate, supervised process of reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be necessary or beneficial. Unlike abruptly quitting a prescription, deprescribing is thoughtful and individualized: it takes into account a person’s health goals, current medical conditions, lab results, and overall quality of life. The goal isn’t to reject medication outright, but to ensure that every medication someone takes is truly helping them.

In the context of metabolic health, deprescribing often becomes possible when the underlying condition that requires medication—such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or obesity—improves. When blood sugar, weight, blood pressure, or other markers normalize through lifestyle changes, the body may no longer need the same pharmaceutical support it once did. 

Virta is an expert in helping people lose weight and reduce their dependency on prescriptions. In this article, we’ll talk about deprescription: what deprescribing is, why you might want to do it, and how to do it safely.

‍Common Reasons People Consider Deprescription

Side Effects Start Outweighing the Benefits

A lot of medications come with tradeoffs. For some people, side effects such as gastrointestinal distress, fatigue, dizziness, or appetite changes begin to interfere with daily life more than the original condition did. When benefits plateau but side effects persist, deprescribing can become a reasonable conversation to have with your doctor.

This is especially relevant in metabolic conditions, where medications may control numbers on a lab report without addressing the root cause. If a person achieves similar or better outcomes through sustained nutritional and metabolic improvements, the balance between benefit and burden can shift. For example, many Virta members find they can reduce or even eliminate their type 2 diabetes medications after they have reached their weight loss and glucose goals. Others find that Virta helps them safely reduce their need to take GLP-1 medications.

“Temporary” Meds Start To Become Permanent

Many prescriptions are initially intended as temporary solutions, such as medications prescribed during periods of acute illness, pregnancy-related changes, or short-term metabolic instability. However, without regular reassessment, these medications can quietly become permanent.

Deprescribing creates space to reevaluate whether the original reason for starting a medication still exists. If circumstances have changed and health markers have improved, continuing a medication “just because it’s always been there” may no longer make sense. 

Symptom Cascades Lead To More Medications

A symptom cascade occurs when one medication causes side effects that are treated with additional medications. For example, a drug that raises blood sugar or causes weight gain may lead to new prescriptions for diabetes or hypertension. Over time, it becomes difficult to tell which symptoms belong to which condition—or which medication.

Deprescribing aims to interrupt this cycle by stepping back and addressing root causes. Improving metabolic health can often reduce multiple symptoms at once, making it possible to simplify treatment instead of layering on more medications.

Lifestyle Changes Make The Meds Less Necessary

Health is not static. Aging, weight loss, improved fitness, dietary changes, and stress reduction can all alter how the body responds to medication. What was appropriate five or ten years ago may no longer be the best option today.

Deprescribing acknowledges that treatment plans should evolve alongside life changes. As people lose weight, improve glucose control, or reverse insulin resistance, medication needs often decrease—sometimes dramatically.

Deprescribing in the Context of GLP-1 and Weight-Loss Medications

GLP-1 receptor agonists and other weight-loss medications have helped many people manage blood sugar and reduce appetite. However, these medications often work by compensating for underlying metabolic dysfunction rather than resolving it.

When individuals follow a structured program focused on lowering glucose and restoring metabolic flexibility like the one Virta offers, they may find they can maintain weight loss and glycemic control without continued pharmacologic support. In these cases, deprescribing is not about failure: it’s a sign that the body is regaining its ability to self-regulate.

Is Deprescribing Safe?

Deprescribing is safest when done under medical supervision. Some medications require gradual tapering, while others need close monitoring of labs or symptoms during dose reductions. Attempting to stop medications on your own can be risky and is not recommended.

A supervised deprescribing plan prioritizes safety, shared decision-making, and reversibility. If symptoms return or labs worsen, medications can be adjusted or restarted as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Deprescribing

What are the criteria for deprescribing?

Common criteria include improved clinical markers (like reaching a weight goal or HbA1c measurement), reduced symptoms, limited benefits from a medication, or increased risk of side effects. The decision is always individualized and based on a comprehensive clinical review.

Is deprescription the same as stopping medication?

Not exactly. Deprescribing is a process, not an event. It may involve dose reductions, spacing out doses, or stopping a medication entirely, but always with intention and oversight. Deprescription should always be done with medical supervision.

Can deprescribing make you feel worse before you feel better?

In some cases, temporary symptoms can occur as the body adjusts. This is why monitoring and follow-up are essential. Most adjustments are manageable when anticipated and addressed early.

Can deprescribing be paused or reversed?

Yes. Deprescribing is flexible. If health markers worsen or symptoms return, the plan can be paused, modified, or reversed without judgment.

Do you taper all medications when deprescribing?

No. Some medications require tapering, while others can be stopped safely at once. This depends on the drug, dose, and duration of use. Whether it’s appropriate to taper versus stopping a medication entirely is advice best delivered by your physician.

Can you deprescribe after losing weight or improving metabolic health?

Absolutely. In fact, this is what Virta specializes in. The sort of weight loss and improved metabolic health that becomes possible when you work with Virta are the very reasons deprescribing becomes possible. When the underlying condition improves, medication needs often decrease as well.

The Takeaway

If you are currently taking medication to lose weight or manage a metabolic condition like type 2 diabetes, Virta Health may be able to help you on your deprescription journey. By making healthy lifestyle changes in a medical setting with supportive resources like 1:1 virtual coaching, you can regain control of your health and feel like yourself again. See if you’re eligible for Virta Health here.