Beers Criteria is primarily used to identify medications to avoid or use with caution in which population?

• A. Elderly
• B. Children
• C. Pregnant women
• D. Athletes

Answer: (A)

Beers Criteria focuses on older adults because aging changes how drugs are processed and how the body responds to them, increasing the risk of adverse effects from many medications. The guideline identifies medications to avoid or use with caution in people typically aged 65 and older, aiming to reduce problems like confusion, delirium, falls, and drug–disease or drug–drug interactions that are more common with polypharmacy in the elderly. It’s a tool widely used in clinical practice to review and optimize medications for older patients, both in hospitals and long-term care, to improve safety. It is not the primary resource for children, pregnant women, or athletes.