When Your Meds Start Making You Sick

Brad Stanfield

Oct 18, 2025

Episode description

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Timestamps
0:00 When Meds Turn Into Poison
1:05 First Patient Example
4:32 Second Patient Example
10:30 Deprescribing Protocol
12:30 Third Patient Example

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Here are the links to the research papers referenced in the video:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11182547/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30581126/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6439678/
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/aspirin-in-the-primary-prevention-of-cardiovascular-disease-and-cancer
https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-024-05557-2
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022395619309872?via%3Dihub
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33417003/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016749432300393X
https://tsaco.bmj.com/content/10/1/e001562
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2508157
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-type-2-diabetes-mellitus-in-the-older-patient

Thumbnail by James Kelly
Video edited by Troy Young
Script by John Milliken

The links above are affiliate links, so I receive a small commission every time you use them to purchase a product. The content contained in this video, and its accompanying description, is not intended to replace viewers’ relationships with their own medical practitioner. Always speak with your doctor regarding the content of this channel, and especially before using any products, services, or devices discussed on this channel.

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Accept higher blood pressure for safer management in frail elderly

A recent study found that reducing blood pressure medications in frail elderly patients didn't increase mortality, making a higher blood pressure of up to 140 acceptable.

#blood-pressure

#mortality

Set lenient blood sugar targets for frail older adults with diabetes

For frail older individuals with type 2 diabetes, a more lenient blood sugar target (HbA1c of 8%) is safer, as aggressive control increases the risk of falls.

#diabetes

#risk

Add SGLT2 inhibitors to reduce health risks in diabetes and heart failure

For patients with both type 2 diabetes and heart failure, adding an SGLT2 inhibitor like Empagliflozin is strongly indicated to significantly reduce health risks.

#diabetes

#SGLT2

Reduce unnecessary medications to lower mortality risk

In one study of nursing home residents, efforts to reduce unnecessary prescriptions slashed mortality risk by an impressive 26% and fall risks by 24%.

#mortality

Reassess medication risks as you age to avoid 'poison'

As we get older, the risks from medications can start to outweigh the benefits, turning them into what the speaker calls 'poison'.

#risk

Address low sodium to reduce fall risk in elderly

Even mild hyponatremia (low sodium), often caused by combining blood pressure and antidepressant drugs, can increase the risk of falls in the elderly by 42%.

#fall-risk

#sodium

Reconsider aspirin use due to bleeding risks

For those who haven't had a heart attack, clinical guidelines now suggest aspirin's 43% higher risk of major bleeding outweighs its modest benefits.

#risk

#safety

Utilize multiple low-dose BP medications for better results

It is preferable to have several blood pressure medications at low doses rather than one at a high dose to achieve a greater effect with fewer side effects.