Overmedicating on Prescription Drugs: Prescription Cascade Negatively Effects People

An article in the Annals of Family Medicine describes the “Prescription Cascade” wherein prescription drugs produce side effects or adverse reactions with other drugs prompting the prescribing of additional drugs to manage the symptoms produced by the side effects and adverse reactions.  This prescription cascade results in added costs to healthcare and detrimental situations for patients.

The effects of the prescription cascade are particularly troublesome when physicians fail to recognize when these adverse reactions are taking place. A full two-thirds of patients have reported symptoms that can be traced to their diabetes or hypertension medications (or a combination of the two). These types of symptoms have resulted in hospitalizations where the medications are then changed to less detrimental medications.

The researchers in this study found that 89% of patients are taking multiple medications at the same time with an average of 4.8 medications being consumed every day. A whopping 51% of patients on medication are taking more than 5 medications each day. In many of these situations, the patient is expected to be taking medications on a “permanent” basis.

The price tag of such care is raising the cost of healthcare to unprecedented levels. Preventive healthcare may be what saves Americans from the spiraling costs of healthcare because by staying healthy all these expenses and anguish are avoided.

The “Prescription Cascade” described by authors of an article in the Annals of Family Medicine consists of the scenario in which prescription drugs produce side effects or adverse reactions with other drugs. These side effects or the adverse reactions from prescription drugs prompt doctors to prescribe more drugs to combat the symptoms produced by the side effects and adverse reactions.  The prescription cascade has rapidly been adding additional costs to healthcare and it is a situation that is detrimental (and may be fatal) for patients caught in these downwardly spiraling circumstances.

One family physician quoted in the study related that he “tells most new diabetics the sad news is that they’re going to be on 5 meds.” Another physician relates that one of his patients was taking a total of 11 mediations that have led to the development of severe indigestion and breathing problems. It is because of scenarios like these that the authors of this study have called for reform of how much influence the pharmaceutical industry has on the practice of medicine. However, the best route for patients to take may be to look toward natural healing methods of healthcare such as chiropractic and nutritional counseling instead of falling into the prescription cascade where they may never escape.

Is there a better way to avoid the prescription cascade? Yes there is but many people are unwilling to accept that they have to give up their self-destructive lifestyles. Giving up smoking, junk food, sedentary lifestyle, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription medications is a good start to avoiding the prescription cascade.

However, many people are unwilling to accept a healthy lifestyle encompassing regular chiropractic adjustments, regular exercise, getting adequate rest, eating more raw vegetables and fresh fruits, and limiting their exposure to environmental toxins. Staying healthy will help you avoid the pitfalls of the prescription cascade.

If you are interested in making these changes to your lifestyle see your local Doctor of Chiropractic for help with avoiding the costly and health depleting “Prescription Cascade.”

If you have more questions about our services, contact us at 410-256-9650 or sign-up at www.phcpt.com for a free consultation! 

Perry Hall Chiropractic and Physical Therapy

8817 Belair Road 

Perry Hall, MD 21236

410-256-9650

www.phcpt.com