10/17/2026
💊 What is the "Prescribing Cascade"?
It happens when a medication causes a side effect, but that side effect is mistaken for a new medical condition, leading to a second prescription, which can bring its own side effects!
Common examples include:
👉Norvasc (amlodipine) used for high blood pressure causes swollen ankles, which leads to a prescription for Lasix (furosemide) to drain the fluid.
👉Celebrex (celecoxib) prescribed for arthritis or severe joint pain causes stomach acid reflux or elevated blood pressure, leading to a prescription for Prilosec (omeprazole) or an extra blood pressure drug.
👉Xanax or Ativan (alprazolam / lorazepam) prescribed for anxiety causes daytime confusion or unsteady gait, leading to prescriptions for Aricept (donepezil) for memory loss or Meclizine for dizziness.
👉Reglan (metoclopramide) prescribed for acid reflux or nausea causes involuntary muscle tremors, which gets misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease and leads to a prescription for Sinemet (carbidopa/levodopa).
Signs a new medication might just be treating a side effect:
1️⃣ A new symptom started shortly after starting a new prescription.
2️⃣ You’re taking a drug specifically to counteract a symptom caused by another.
3️⃣ Your pill count keeps growing, but you aren't feeling better.
Before starting a new medication, always ask your doctor or pharmacist: "Could this new symptom be a side effect of something I’m already taking?"
At Ravenna Assisted Living in Albuquerque, NM, we work closely with families and healthcare providers to ensure regular medication reviews for our residents' safety and peace of mind.
Learn more about our dedicated care and senior living services here: https://www.ravennanm.com/