Taking multiple medications can lead to side effects that are difficult to isolate. The side effects of a drug in isolation are often challenging to identify, but the cumulative effects are impossible to manage. The technical term for taking mulitple medications is polypharmacy.
Research from 2016 noted that in 2010 and 2011 36% of seniors aged 65 to 85 were taking 5 or more prescription medications. Regardless of the class of medicines and the reason why they need it, this is too many. This study only looked at prescription. It omitted all of the other medications that are over the counter, nutritional supplements and home remedy pharmaceuticals that are often not included in the medication list for the doctor.
You should take a list of all of the medications that you take to every doctor's visit. This includes prescriptions for ALL physicians you see. It also should include all pharmaceuticals that you purchase without a prescription. Many of these were prescription only before dosing changes allowed them to be over the counter.
When deprescribing, decrease your medication one by one. Do not decrease or stop multiple medications at the same time. The outcome can be hazardous to your wellbeing. Your body has become used to these chemicals in your system, and it may react negatively to the withdrawal. By withdrawing one at a time, you also can identify which medication is causing which unwanted side effect. If you continue to need the medication, you may be able to do just as well with a smaller dose.
Medications are expensive and can lead to illness and death. Do not assume that more medications are better for your health. As you age, you are not as able to break these chemicals down, and you may not be able to tolerate “normal” doses which you could when you were younger. You may not even need the medication anymore. Each time you visit a healthcare provider, ask about deprescribing. It is for your health and wellbeing.