Prescribing cascade in an elderly woman

Abstract

Background Prescribing cascades usually occur when signs and symptoms of a patient are inaccurately assessed and an adverse drug reaction (ADR) is misinterpreted as a new condition, resulting in a new medication being prescribed. The prevalence of prescribing cascades is currently unknown. Prescribing cascades often lead to polypharmacy, especially in elderly people. In the United States, one study reported that 57% of women aged 65 years and older take 5 prescription drugs or more and 12% take more than 9. Polypharmacy is also a risk factor for ADRs, which cause 12% of all hospital admissions. Limiting prescribing cascades could therefore help to prevent ADRs.