What’s the Beers List for Medications and How Do Healthcare Professionals Use It?

About Kim Elliott

Chief Nursing Officer

When it comes to leading clinical programs, Kim is our go-to authority on resident care, while maintaining the highest standards for quality and compliance. As Chief Nursing Officer, her care philosophy is based on the importance of individualized care, personal choice and resident independence. Kim is dedicated to finding more options to help our residents live and age well. That’s why she has taken a population health approach to surrounding our residents with the healthcare services they need to help manage their chronic conditions. Kim’s passion for senior healthcare developed in nursing school during a routine rotation. When she saw a shortage of quality nurses working in senior living, Kim knew she had found her calling and a place where she could make a difference. Kim joined Brookdale in 2014. She serves on the Argentum Clinical Quality Executive Roundtable, is on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Central Florida University School of Nursing and is a member of the Nightingale Society. She was recently inducted into McKnight’s Women of Distinction Hall of Fame. Kim has a master’s degree in Nursing, with a specialty of executive leadership from Chamberlain College of Nursing.

It seems like every week there’s a new study telling us we should use this medication but not that one or reminding us of the side effects of different drugs. And as if that weren’t confusing enough, as consumers, we are bombarded with dozens of pharmaceutical advertisements that offer up even more data to process.

Taking medication, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, is common for seniors. According to Harvard Health, as you age your immune system weakens, leaving you more susceptible to infection, autoimmune diseases and chronic conditions. With the CDC reporting that more than 90 percent of older people using at least one prescription and more than 66 percent using three or more in any given month, managing medications becomes even more important for older adults.

So where do you find reliable information about safe and effective medications for seniors?

To keep up with the ever-changing pharmaceutical field, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) publishes a resource for healthcare providers called the AGS Beers Criteria® for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. Also known as the Beers List, it includes medications that may not be the safest or the most appropriate choice for older adults. Frequently reviewed and updated, the latest list published this year.

The list describes medications that fall into one of five categories:

Potentially inappropriate for older people
Potentially inappropriate for older people with specific health conditions
To be used with caution because of potentially harmful drug interactions
To be used with caution because of potential side effects
To be avoided or used at different doses for people with reduced kidney function

Understanding which medications you should potentially avoid or use with caution helps healthcare providers, caregivers and seniors work together to make sure drugs are used properly.

Some of the drugs on the list include over-the-counter medications. For example, diphenhydramine, otherwise known as Benadryl, which is also an ingredient in Tylenol PM or Advil PM, is listed as a medication that is potentially inappropriate for many older adults. The drug can cause exaggerated side effects in seniors.

A family member trying to be helpful might encourage an older adult to use something like Benadryl, not realizing that, while it’s OK for younger adults, it’s potentially inappropriate for seniors.

Long-term use of NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen, is also on the list. The Beers List notes that they can increase the risk of gastrointestinal issues, like ulcers and indigestion, increase blood pressure and affect your kidneys. Further research done by the National Institutes of Health found that a daily dose of aspirin has no healthy effect on the lifespan of healthy seniors.

Here are some tips to help you and your family manage medications that are included in the AGS Beers Criteria®.

If you have concerns or questions about medication on the Beers List, talk to your physician. There are times when the benefits outweigh the risks for some of these medications and it’s important to discuss the benefits of higher risk medications with your doctor. Ask what the side effects your prescriptions can cause and watch for them. Consult your doctor if you are concerned.

Consult with your pharmacist. Keep a list of all the medications and dosage you take and ask for a medication review, particularly as it relates to higher risk medications for seniors. Also, you should review possible drug interactions for both prescribed and over-the-counter medications.

Get your family on board to help. Your adult children can help you review the list of your current medications and schedule time for a conversation with your healthcare provider.

In the end, knowledge is power. Talk to your healthcare professional about the Beers List and learn more about how you can reduce the risk of medications creating more problems than they are treating.

^{The above content is shared for educational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you have a medical condition. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site.}