Which patient population requires reviewing the most recent Beers Criteria before prescribing?

The Beers Criteria is a guideline for healthcare professionals to help improve the safety of prescribing medications for older adults. This document identifies potentially inappropriate medications that should generally be avoided in older populations due to their higher risk of adverse drug events, specific side effects, and the unique physiological changes that come with aging.

Prescribing for older adults requires careful consideration because they often have multiple comorbidities and may be taking several medications, increasing the likelihood of drug-drug interactions and other complications. Using the Beers Criteria helps clinicians avoid medications that could exacerbate existing conditions, lead to falls, or cause cognitive impairment, which are particularly concerning in this age group.

While other populations such as pregnant women, pediatric patients, and adolescents may also require careful prescribing considerations, the Beers Criteria specifically targets older adults, making it crucial for this demographic to consult the guidelines to ensure safe medication management.