Beers Criteria is used to guide prescribing for which population?

• A. Older adults
• B. Children
• C. Athletes
• D. Pregnant women

Answer: (A)

Beers Criteria is a tool that helps clinicians identify medications that may be inappropriate or risky for older adults because aging changes how the body handles drugs and increases sensitivity to certain effects. By flagging high‑risk drug classes (such as some sedatives, anticholinergics, and certain meds with high fall risk) and suggesting safer alternatives or dose adjustments, it aims to prevent adverse drug events, delirium, functional decline, and other harms in the elderly. This makes it especially relevant for patients 65 and older who often take multiple medications. It is not a guideline for children, athletes, or pregnancy, since those groups have different safety considerations and guidelines.