The Beers criteria were first drawn up in 1991 and were last updated by an 

 of the American Geriatrics Society in 2015. The criteria consist of a list of recommendations regarding potentially inappropriate medication use and use of alternative medications in older adults aged 65 and over.

This group is at increased risk for adverse effects from medications (especially neurological adverse effects).  The rationale of the guidelines is to decrease unnecessary prescriptions, with the goal of decreasing polypharmacy, drug-drug interactions, and drug reactions.  

 American Geriatrics Society 2015 Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel. American Geriatrics Society 2015. 

Updated Beers Criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults

Dementia and Alzheimer Disease

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When and why were the Beers criteria set in place? Learn more in this quiz.

Mini Quiz: Beers Criteria