The Curious Clinicians 97 - Cascading Prescriptions
Oct 2, 2024
This discussion dives into the complexities of prescribing cascades, particularly the side effects of gabapentin. The hosts highlight how gabapentin can lead to peripheral edema, sparking questions about its unexpected impacts. They emphasize the dangers of unnecessary prescriptions and the importance of understanding medication side effects for better patient care. The conversation also touches on myogenic tone and how medications influence vascular health, alongside gabapentin's role in blood pressure management. Tune in for insights into smarter prescribing!
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What Is a Prescribing Cascade?
- Prescribing cascades occur when a medication side effect is treated with another medication.
- Gabapentin can cause peripheral edema, leading to loop diuretic prescriptions as a cascade.
Frequency of Gabapentin-Induced Edema
- Gabapentin-associated edema occurs in about 7% of patients compared to 2% with placebo.
- This edema side effect is confirmed across multiple trials including meta-analyses.
Widespread Use of Gabapentin
- Gabapentin is the sixth most commonly prescribed medication in the US.
- Millions may be affected by gabapentin-induced edema due to its widespread use.