Mayo Clinic Care Network Content
Articles

Medicine use in older adults

The Beers Criteria

The American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults, commonly known as the Beers Criteria, is a list of medicines that may be harmful to older adults. It shows which medicines have a higher risk of harmful reactions in adults over age 65. This list gives the names of medicines, their risks and their recommended use. The Beers Criteria list is a great resource for understanding the harmful effects of some medicines on older adults. However, if you aren't sure if a medicine should be taken, contact your healthcare professional.