What Is the AGS Beers List? A Plain-Language Guide

If you take a few medications, you have probably wondered at some point: are all of these still right for me? It is a good question to ask. As we get older, our bodies handle medicine differently, and a prescription that worked perfectly at 50 can behave differently at 75.

There is a trusted, doctor-built tool that helps answer that question. It is called the AGS Beers Criteria, often shortened to the Beers List. Here is what it is, why it matters, and how to use it with confidence.

What is the AGS Beers List?

The AGS Beers Criteria is a list of medications that may carry more risk than benefit for many adults over 65. It does not say these medicines are dangerous for everyone. It says they deserve a closer look, because for older adults a safer option often exists.

It started in 1991 with Dr. Mark Beers, a geriatrician who wanted a clear way to spot medications that frequently caused problems for older patients. Since 2011, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) has maintained and regularly updated the list with a panel of experts. The most recent update came in 2023, so it reflects current evidence, not decades-old guesswork.

The criteria sort medications into a few practical groups:

• Medications that may be best avoided by most older adults
• Medications to avoid with certain health conditions
• Medications to use with extra caution
• Drug combinations that can interact in risky ways
• Medications that may need a lower dose, or a different choice, when the kidneys are working less efficiently

Why it matters more as we age

Aging changes how the body absorbs, processes, and clears medication. The liver and kidneys work a little slower. The body holds onto some drugs longer. And we can become more sensitive to side effects we never noticed before.

On top of that, many older adults take several medications at once. Each one can be helpful on its own, but together they raise the odds of an unwanted interaction. This is why medication-related side effects are one of the more common reasons older adults end up in the emergency room, often from something preventable like a fall, dizziness, or confusion.

The Beers List shines a light on the medications most likely to be behind those moments, so they can be reviewed early, calmly, and on your terms.

What kinds of medications show up on it?

The list covers many categories, and the details matter, so this is a conversation to have with your own doctor or pharmacist. A few familiar examples that often appear include certain older allergy and sleep aids, some anxiety and sleep medications, a few older antidepressants, certain muscle relaxants, and long-term use of some pain relievers.

Seeing a medicine on the list does not mean you should stop taking it. For some people, the benefit truly outweighs the risk, and the right answer is to stay the course. The point is simply to ask the question, with a professional, rather than to guess.

How to use the Beers List the right way

The Beers Criteria is a conversation starter, not a verdict. The American Geriatrics Society is clear that it should support a doctor's judgment, never replace it, and that it should never be used to deny care or to scare anyone.

So here is the empowering way to use it:

• Keep an up-to-date list of everything you take, including over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements.
• Bring that list to your next appointment and ask, "Are any of these worth a second look for someone my age?"
• Never start, stop, or change a dose on your own. Always make changes with your prescriber, who knows your full history.

That single question can open the door to a safer, simpler routine, and to real peace of mind.

How SeniorThrive puts the Beers List to work

Asking that question is easier when you have the information in front of you. That is exactly why our Medicine Cabinet draws on trusted references like the AGS Beers Criteria.

The Medicine Cabinet is a reference and safety tool for every prescription, over-the-counter medicine, supplement, and vitamin you keep. It summarizes FDA drug information in plain language and flags potential interactions and medications that guidelines like the Beers Criteria suggest reviewing for older adults. It does this in everyday words, not medical shorthand.

It will not change your medicine, and it will never tell you to stop one. What it does is hand you and your family clear, calm information, so you can walk into your next appointment ready to ask the right questions. That is what staying independent at home is really about: understanding, not worry.

The bottom line

The AGS Beers List is one of the most useful tools in geriatric care, and now you know how to use it. It is not about fear. It is about clarity, and about making sure every medicine you take is still earning its place. Bring your list, ask the question, and let your care team help you thrive.

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before making any change to your medications.