What is the most common cause of medication-related adverse events across health care settings in the United States?

What is the most common cause of medication-related adverse events across health care settings in the United States?

• A. Antihypertensives
• B. Analgesics
• C. Antibiotics
• D. Antidepressants

Answer: (D)

Widespread exposure drives how often medication-related adverse events occur. Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States, used across ages and settings, so they appear frequently in adverse event reports and real-world harms. Their adverse effects and interactions cover many body systems and can be amplified in older adults or with polypharmacy. Common issues include hyponatremia, especially with SSRIs/SNRIs in the elderly; increased bleeding risk when taken with NSAIDs, antiplatelets, or anticoagulants due to platelet serotonin effects; and, with certain agents, QT prolongation. Serotonin syndrome can occur when antidepressants are combined with other serotonergic drugs. Sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and anticholinergic effects can contribute to falls and delirium in vulnerable patients. Because they are frequently prescribed and have a broad range of possible adverse effects and drug interactions, antidepressants are the most common cause of medication-related adverse events across health care settings.

Widespread exposure drives how often medication-related adverse events occur. Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States, used across ages and settings, so they appear frequently in adverse event reports and real-world harms.

Their adverse effects and interactions cover many body systems and can be amplified in older adults or with polypharmacy. Common issues include hyponatremia, especially with SSRIs/SNRIs in the elderly; increased bleeding risk when taken with NSAIDs, antiplatelets, or anticoagulants due to platelet serotonin effects; and, with certain agents, QT prolongation. Serotonin syndrome can occur when antidepressants are combined with other serotonergic drugs. Sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and anticholinergic effects can contribute to falls and delirium in vulnerable patients. Because they are frequently prescribed and have a broad range of possible adverse effects and drug interactions, antidepressants are the most common cause of medication-related adverse events across health care settings.