4035-25: Prescription Overload: The Hidden Dangers of Polypharmacy 

This presentation examines psychiatric polypharmacy risks and evidence-based deprescribing strategies. It covers dual antipsychotic use, benzodiazepine and stimulant tapering, and shared decision-making. Attendees will learn to optimize medication regimens using a deprescribing toolkit and interprofessional collaboration to reduce medication overload while maintaining effective treatment.

Presenters:  Leslie Laine, PMHNP-BC; Mark Crawford, PMHNP-BC; Alex Sietsma, PMHNP-BC, DNP

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  45 minutes

Target Audience:  APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Identify at least two evidence-based deprescribing strategies to manage polypharmacy in psychiatric practice. 

Key Takeaway(s): 

• A structured deprescribing toolkit guides safe, patient-centered medication reduction using evidence, clinical judgement, and collaborative strategies.

Keywords:  Polypharmacy, Deprescribing, Toolkit

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
0.75 pharmacology contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to the entire presentation, complete the reflection activity, evaluation, and honor statement before the expiration date. Once all steps are successfully completed, a certificate will be generated online and available for you to print immediately. Contact hours cannot be awarded unless all required components are completed. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release Date:  December 22, 2025
Access to this course will end:  December 1, 2027

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