Antihypertensive medication can be safely reduced, at least in the short-term, in suitable patients in their 80s, results of a clinical trial show.

In the unblinded trial carried out at 69 primary practices in the UK, 569 participants older than 80 with systolic BP below 150mmHg and taking at least two hypertensives were randomised either to deprescription of one antihypertensive or usual care.

All participants were enrolled by GPs who considered the patient could benefit from medication reduction because of polypharmacy, comorbidities, nonadherence, dislike of medicines or frailty.

Mean age was 85, 48.5% were female and patients were on two antihypertensives on average. People with a history of heart failure, MI or stroke in the previous year were not eligible.