De Beers-lijst als hulpmiddel om ernstige geneesmiddelbijwerkingen bij ouderen te voorkomen

– Elderly patients are highly susceptible for developing adverse drug reactions (ADR) that can lead to hospitalisation or death.

– Most of these ADR can be prevented if doctors adjust their prescriptions.

– Beers et al. have developed a list of drugs that should not be prescribed to elderly patients since they are known for their association with serious ADR.

– In the Netherlands, 20 of elderly patients receive drugs that are in the so-called Beers list.

– Although the Beers list has not been adjusted to the Dutch situation, avoidance of these drugs may reduce drug-related hospital admittance.

– Development of an improved list of drugs that should not be prescribed to elderly patients is needed that is applicable to the Netherlands.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2005;149:2099-103