Shedding Light on the Risks
& Benefits of Medications
Overprescribing
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Overprescribing means prescribing a drug (or drugs) when it’s not clinically necessary. This can lead to increased side effects and public health issues. A 2018 study published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America found that nearly half of all outpatient antibiotic prescriptions were given without an infection-related diagnosis. Many were written for viral illnesses like colds and flu, which do not respond to antibiotics. Overprescribing of antbiotics can lead to unnecessary side effects (rash, diarrhea, yeast infections, allergic reactions) and fuels the rise of antibiotic resistance for the patient and in the general population.
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