Reducing prescribing cascades
Prescribing cascades contribute to the increasing prevalence of polypharmacy and its associated risks, where a drug-induced adverse event is misinterpreted as a new condition and treated with additional medications. Notable cascades include the use of anticholinergics leading to cognitive impairment...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4929 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Prescribing cascades contribute to the increasing prevalence of polypharmacy and its associated risks, where a drug-induced adverse event is misinterpreted as a new condition and treated with additional medications. Notable cascades include the use of anticholinergics leading to cognitive impairment, dyspepsia or constipation, which then prompt prescriptions for dementia medications, proton pump inhibitors or laxatives, respectively. Similarly, calcium channel blockers and gabapentinoids often induce oedema, resulting in unnecessary diuretic use. Strategies for prevention include careful review of adverse effects, deprescribing where appropriate and clinician education to improve symptom interpretation and prescribing practices. Recognising these cascades can mitigate unnecessary interventions and improve patient outcomes. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2071-2928 2071-2936 |