The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has released the ‘2019 Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults’. It is updated every 3 years. This report lists drugs that should be avoided in the treatment of older adults, either generally or in patients with specific diseases or conditions. These prescriptions medications are termed potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs).
The determination had looked at the quality of care to all those over 65 especially regarding the drugs they are given. They note an obvious link between taking potentially harmful drugs and a higher risk for hospitalization among older adults.
The 2019 criteria include 30 medications or medication classes to be avoided in older adults in general, and 40 medications or medication classes that should be used with caution or avoided in certain patients with certain diseases or conditions. Narcotics specifically opioids were added especially with benzodiazepines or gabapentinoids. Two criteria were added in response to the worsening opioid crisis: not prescribing opioids with benzodiazepines (ex: diazepam, Valium, Halcion, Xanax, Dalmane )or gabapentinoids (ex: Lyrica, Neurontin). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the most common class of PIM. Sadly so many of them are over the counter (OTC).
Also, some meds were dropped! Have a read.
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