overprescription
Too many medications
Overprescription is the practice of prescribing medications more frequently, in higher doses, or for longer durations than medically necessary.
The term appears most often in discussions of antibiotics, where overprescription contributes to drug-resistant bacteria, and opioids, where it has fueled addiction crises.
Overprescription of painkillers has been blamed for the epidemic of opioid dependence.
The word implies systemic failure rather than individual error, pointing to patterns across healthcare systems.
Receptor-binding pain relievers
- benzodiazepinesSedative-hypnotic drug class
- dependencyState of needing support
- habit-formingCausing repeated compulsive use
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
overdose · withdrawal · narcotics · rehabilitation · detoxification · methadone · recovery · craving
Using numerous drugs concurrently
- overmedicationExcessive pharmaceutical treatment
- medicationTherapeutic substance for illness
- pharmaceuticalsManufactured therapeutic substances
- side-effectsSecondary, unintended outcomes
contraindications · dosage · patient · compliance · adherence · regimen · elderly
Close, careful examination
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- outcryLoud public protest
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- alarmUrgent warning signal
oversight · regulation · guidelines · audit · reform · awareness · advocacy · whistleblower
Harmful professional negligence
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- professionalismWorkplace conduct standards
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- bioethicsMoral philosophy for medicine
beneficence · stewardship · integrity · prudence · kickbacks
Antibiotic-immune bacteria
- MRSADrug-resistant staph infection
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- mutationsAlterations in genetic sequence
microbes · evolution · adaptation · biofilm · efflux · fluoroquinolones · broad-spectrum · prophylactic
opioids
Receptor-binding pain relievers
- benzodiazepinesSedative-hypnotic drug class
- dependencyState of needing support
- habit-formingCausing repeated compulsive use
tolerance · overdose · withdrawal · narcotics · rehabilitation · detoxification · methadone · recovery · craving · relapse
polypharmacy
Using numerous drugs concurrently
- overmedicationExcessive pharmaceutical treatment
- medicationTherapeutic substance for illness
- pharmaceuticalsManufactured therapeutic substances
side-effects · contraindications · dosage · patient · compliance · adherence · regimen · elderly
scrutiny
Close, careful examination
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- outcryLoud public protest
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
alarm · oversight · regulation · guidelines · audit · reform · awareness · advocacy · whistleblower · litigation
malpractice
Harmful professional negligence
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- professionalismWorkplace conduct standards
- responsibilityState of being answerable
bioethics · beneficence · stewardship · integrity · prudence · kickbacks
superbugs
Antibiotic-immune bacteria
- MRSADrug-resistant staph infection
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
mutations · microbes · evolution · adaptation · biofilm · efflux · fluoroquinolones · broad-spectrum · prophylactic
- healthcare problemsmedical errors, misdiagnosis, high costs, long waits, staffing shortages
- overuseoveruse, overconsumption, overexploitation, excess, waste
- medical crimesMedicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, medical malpractice, medical negligence, nursing home abuse
- Overdiagnosisovertesting, overtreatment, overscreening, overprescribing, unnecessary tests
- addictionaddiction, drug addiction, substance abuse, drug dependence, substance dependency
- Drug Risksadverse reactions, side effects, drug interactions, overdose, toxicity
overprescriptionunderprescription
Insufficient therapeutic dosing
underprescribing · undertreatment · undermedication · undertreating
prescription, prescribe, prescribed, prescribing, prescriptive, prescriber, nonprescription, unprescribed, prescriptively