Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications
Drug Cascades
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Also known as “prescribing cascades,” drug cascades occur when a medication is prescribed to treat the side effects of an original drug you are on.
For example, a person might be prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) to help relieve arthritis pain. A common side effect of NSAIDs is acid reflux. The person is then prescribed a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole to treat the refux.
While drug cascades are sometimes considered appropriate when the benefits outweigh the risks, they can also lead to compounded side effects, drug-to-drug interactions, and worsened conditions over time.
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