The prescribing cascade: the error of treating side effects with more drugs

The prescribing cascade is a dangerous practice where side effects from medications lead to additional prescriptions, increasing hospitalizations. Marta Tello, a pharmacist, highlighted a case of a patient on 18 medications, illustrating the issue. Catalonia has initiated a campaign to raise awareness about this trend, which contributes to 5-10% of hospitalizations due to adverse drug reactions. Experts emphasize the need for periodic medication reviews to prevent unnecessary prescriptions and complications. Care fragmentation, where multiple specialists treat patients without coordination, exacerbates the problem. The campaign aims to educate healthcare professionals and the public about the risks of prescribing cascades.