[Drug prescription in the emergency department: pitfalls to avoid]

Prescribing medication is a routine part of an emergency physician's clinical practice. However, it carries significant risks that must not be overlooked. Many of the pathologies seen in the emergency department require patients to fast or make oral administration impossible. In such cases, it is critical to evaluate which medications should be continued or stopped, as inappropriate management can lead to clinical deterioration or serious adverse effects. Similarly, every new prescription introduces the potential for drug interactions with the patient's existing treatment regimen, while discontinuing a medication can also destabilize previously well-managed interactions. This underscores the importance of thorough medication reconciliation.