medicatiecriteria

Medicatiecriteria are a set of explicit or implicit rules used to judge whether a medication therapy is appropriate for a patient. They cover aspects such as indication, effectiveness, safety, dosing, and monitoring, and they consider patient-specific factors such as age, organ function, comorbidity, and potential drug interactions. The goal is to support evidence-based prescribing, optimize therapeutic outcomes, and reduce adverse drug events.

In practice, medicatiecriteria are used in medication reviews, deprescribing efforts, and formulary decisions. They are particularly relevant in populations with polypharmacy and chronic disease, such as older adults, where the risk of harm from unnecessary or duplicative therapies is higher. The criteria help clinicians identify inappropriate or unnecessary medications and guide decisions about initiation, continuation, modification, or discontinuation.

Core components typically include ensuring there is a valid indication that aligns with patient goals; evidence of benefit for the specific context; evaluation of safety including contraindications and potential interactions; appropriate dosing and titration; a plan for monitoring and follow-up; and consideration of non-pharmacologic alternatives, as well as cost and accessibility.

Common frameworks used to structure medicatiecriteria include Beers Criteria and STOPP/START, along with other national or local guidelines. Health systems may adapt these to their formulary and patient population. The process is often conducted by clinicians and pharmacists through structured medication reviews, with a focus on shared decision making.

Limitations include the need to keep criteria up to date with new evidence, the potential mismatch with individual patient preferences, and the requirement for integration with electronic health records and adequate training. See also Beers Criteria, STOPP/START, medication review, polypharmacy, deprescribing.