What is the Beers criteria?

• A. Beers criteria identifies the most cost-effective medications for the elderly.
• B. Beers criteria lists drugs that are contraindicated in pregnancy.
• C. Beers criteria lists potentially inappropriate drugs that lead to adverse effects in the elderly.
• D. Beers criteria describes pediatric dosing guidelines.

Answer: (C)

Beers criteria is a guideline used to identify medications that pose higher risks for older adults due to aging-related changes in how the body handles drugs. It lists drugs or drug classes that are potentially inappropriate for many seniors or should be used with great caution to avoid adverse effects like confusion, falls, constipation, or delirium. The goal is to improve medication safety during polypharmacy and care transitions by guiding clinicians to reevaluate and, when possible, avoid or adjust these meds. It is not about cost, pregnancy contraindications, or pediatric dosing.