Beers Criteria Flashcards
What are the Classes/Medications that are in the beers list?
Anticholinergic Dicyclomine Nitrofurantoin Peripheral alpha-1 blockers Clinidine Dig Nifedipine (IR) Amiodarone Antidepressants Antipsychotics Benzos Non-benzo benzo receptor agonist hypontics Estrogen w/ or w/o progestins Insulin, sliding scale Megestrol Sulfonylureas, long duration PPIs Meperidine Non-cyclooxygenase-selective NSAIDs Indomethacin/ketorolax Skeletal muscle relaxants
What is the rationale for anticholinergics being on the beers list?
Clearance reduced with advanced age, risk of confusion, constipation, etc.
Tolerance develops when used as hypnotic
What is the rationale for dicyclomine being on the beers list?
Highly anticholinergic
What is the rationale for nitrofurantoin being on the beers list?
Risk pulmonary toxicity, hepatitis, peripheral neuropathy especially with long term use. Safer alternatives available
What is the rationale for peripheral alpha-1 blockers being on the beers list?
High risk of orthostatic hypotension, not recommended as routine treatment for HTN; alternative agents have superior risk-benefit profile
What is the rationale for clonidine being on the beers list?
High risk of ADR CNS effects
May cause bradycardia and orthostatic hypotension
What is the rationale for digoxin being on the beers list?
May be associated with increased mortality
Questionable effects of risk on hospitalization in those with HF, may be associated with increased mortality. Higher doses not associated with more benefit - may increase toxicity
Decreased renal clearance = toxicity
What is the rationale for nifedipine being on the beers list?
Risk for hypotension and myocardial ischemia
What is the rationale for antidepressants being on the beers list?
Highly anticholinergic, sedation, risk of orthostatic hypotension
What is the rationale for amiodarone being on the beers list?
Effective, but toxicities are higher than for other antiarrhythmics
What is the rationale for antipsychotics being on the beers list?
Increased risk of stroke and greater cognitive decline and mortality in those with dementia
What is the rationale for benzos being on the beers list?
Increased sensitivity, decreased metabolism of long-acting agents; in general all BZDs increase risk of cognitive impairment, delirium, falls, fractures, and MVA in older adults
May be appropriate for seizure disorders, rapid eye movement sleep disorders, BZD, or EtOH withdrawal, severe GAD, and periprocedurally
What is the rationale for non-benzo benzo being on the beers list?
Similar risk to benzos
Minimal improvement in sleep latency and duration
What are non-benzo benzos?
Ambien
Lunesta
Zaleplon
What is the rationale for estrogen w/ or w/o progestin being on the beers list?
carcinogenic (breast, endometrial), lack of cardiac/cognitive protection in older women
Vaginal estrogens are for vaginal dryness are safe and effective