According to Beers Criteria, which medication should be avoided in older adults?

The Beers Criteria are widely utilized guidelines that identify potentially inappropriate medications for older adults, particularly those who may be at higher risk for adverse drug events due to age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Among the options given, ziprasidone is particularly noted in the Beers Criteria for its associated risks in older adults.

Ziprasidone has a potential for causing significant side effects in the elderly population, especially concerning the risk of prolonged QT interval, which can lead to serious cardiovascular complications. Additionally, antipsychotic medications, including ziprasidone, may also increase the risk of stroke and mortality in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. As such, the recommendation is to avoid this medication in this demographic to minimize the risk of these adverse effects.

In contrast, clozapine, paliperidone, and quetiapine might have their own considerations and potential risks but are not explicitly listed in the Beers Criteria for avoidance as ziprasidone is. Therefore, the recommendation to avoid ziprasidone aligns with the goal of reducing medication-related risks in older adults, making this the correct choice based on current guidelines.