Updating the Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults

related problems can have profound medical and safety consequences for older adults and economically affect the health care system. The purpose of this initiative was to revise and update the Beers criteria for potentially inap-propriate medication use in adults 65 years and older in the United States. Methods: This study used a modified Delphi method, a set ofprocedures andmethods for formulatingagroup judg-ment for a subject matter in which precise information is lacking. The criteria reviewed covered 2 types of state-ments: (1) medications or medication classes that should generally be avoided in persons 65 years or older because they are either ineffective or they pose unnecessarily high risk for older persons and a safer alternative is available and (2) medications that should not be used in older person