Stack of colorful open magazines with pages fanned out.

Patient handouts

The following resources will help you communicate with your patients on the importance of deprescribing - and why it is an essential component of appropriate prescribing!

Some of these brochures have been translated to languages other than English and French.

Patient handouts on specific medications (EMPOWER brochures)

These brochures were created to inform and empower people about certain types of potentially inappropriate medications. Did you know that over 25% of community-dwelling older adults who read the EMPOWER brochure on sedative-hypnotics stopped their medications with the help of their health care provider? Click here to read trial published in JAMA.

Click on the links below to see the brochures and print them:

Informative poster titled "You May Be at Risk" listing various sedative-hypnotic medications, such as Xanax, Valium, and Ambien. Includes a warning about taking these medications and features an image of assorted pills. Sponsored by several health organizations.

Sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication such as lorazepam (Ativan®), oxazepam (Serax®), zopiclone (Imovane®) or zolpidem (Sublinox®).

Informational poster about proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with a spilled pill bottle. It lists several PPIs including Dexlansoprazole, Esomeprazole, Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole sodium, Pantoprazole magnesium, and Rabeprazole. The text asks, "Do I still need this medication?" Logos of participating organizations are at the bottom.

Stomach pills for acid reflux such as pantoprazole (Pantoloc®), lansoprazole (Prevacid®), omeprazole (Losec®) or dexlansoprazole (Dexilant®)

Informational poster featuring various opioid medications with a warning about risks for those taking opioids/narcotics for chronic pain. Medications listed include Buprenorphine, Codeine, Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Meperidine, Methadone, Morphine, Oxycodone, and Tramadol. Sponsored by various health organizations.

Opioids for chronic non-cancer pain such as morphine (Statex®, M-Eslon®) or oxycodone (Oxyneo®, Percocet®)

Poster featuring blister packs of pink capsules labeled 'Antihistamines' with a warning about the risks of taking first-generation antihistamines. It lists various medications including Brompheniramine, Diphenhydramine, and Promethazine, among others. Includes logos of Canadian health organizations.

Medications for allergies and itchiness (First-generation antihistamines) such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)

Hand holding a yellow pill with text warning about risks of taking certain antipsychotic drugs. Listed drugs include Quetiapine, Clozapine, Pimozide, Ziprasidone, Perphenazine, Haloperidol, Aripiprazole, Loxapine, Chlorpromazine, Prochlorperazine, Risperidone, Olanzapine, and Fluphenazine. Logos of affiliated organizations are at the bottom.

Antipsychotic medication for sleep or for symptoms of dementia (e.g. quetiapine (Seroquel®) or risperidone (Risperdal®))

Image of a warning poster about the risks of taking Gabapentin or Pregabalin for pain, showing a picture of Gabapentin capsules and brand logos.

Gabapentinoids medications for chronic pain, such as pregabalin (Lyrica®) or gabapentin (Neurontin®)

Informational poster about NSAIDs, showing blue pills and a list of medications like Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil), Diclofenac (Voltaren), Meloxicam (Mobic), and Naproxen (Aleve). Includes logos for several health organizations.

Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®)

Poster warning about risks for those taking sulfonylurea diabetic medication, with a list of medications including Chlorpropamide, Glyburide, Gliclazide, and Glimepiride. Contains an image of an antidiabetic medication box and blister pack.

Medications for diabetes such as glyburide (DiaBeta®)

 How to get a good night's sleep without medication

Elderly woman sleeping peacefully in bed with text "How to get a good night’s sleep without medication” and logos for Montreal's research and educational institutes.

This brochure provides tips and techniques for a good night's sleep without resorting to sleeping pills.

Also see this website which contains information to help people manage insomnia.

Deprescribing handouts for patients

Infographic by the Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network discussing the importance of reviewing medications. It explains medication balance, defines medication overload as taking more medications than needed, and illustrates harms such as hospitalization and death. It highlights that older adults and women are at higher risk and suggests deprescribing as a potential solution. Version 2.0, dated 2022/09/14.

Having trouble communicating the need to deprescribe with your patients?

Our deprescribing infographics provide great conversation starters on the importance of appropriate medication management.

Brochure about how medications affect us differently as we age

Illustration of an older woman standing with a speech bubble saying "Did you know? Older adults are hospitalized five times more often than people under the age of 65 because of harmful medication effects." Background features large pills. Text at the top reads "As we get older, we should be careful with our medications." Logo for Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network is at the bottom.

This pamphlet describes physiological changes associated with aging and how these have an impact on medications’ effects.

Click here to download the brochure.

Infographic about Appropriate Use of Medications in Canada

Map of Canada showing proportions of older adults with potentially inappropriate medication prescriptions by province and territory. Data: Yukon 39.3%, British Columbia 32.4%, Alberta 50.2%, Saskatchewan 41.2%, Manitoba 46.7%, Ontario 41.6%, New Brunswick 65.8%, Nova Scotia 57.2%, Newfoundland and Labrador 65.6%, Prince Edward Island 46.6%. Not available for Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Nunavut.

Download this infographic to learn about potentially inappropriate medications and how they affect people across Canada.