Did you ever wonder which the most prescribed drugs in the US are? The
whopping number of retail prescription drugs filled at pharmacies might shock
you. Breaking it down for 2019, you see that 51% of them were Commercial, 28%
were Medicare while 16% were Medicaid.
Now you know what keeps pharmacists as busy as you visit them to get your
medicines. Okay, let’s move further.
How many of the most commonly prescribed drugs are familiar to you? Do you
have any names on your tongue right now? If not, just check these out…
7 Most Commonly Prescribed Drugs in the US
Simvastatin belongs to the statin class of drugs that are used to treat high cholesterol
issues. It aids in reducing the risk of heart stroke & death because of the
same. The patient should know the potential risk of maximum dosages & use
it under the guidance of a medical practitioner only.
Some of the very common side effects of Simvastatin include nausea,
headache, vomiting, upset stomach, weakness in the muscles, and so on.
Levothyroxine, as the name suggests, treats hypothyroidism. It is also
believed to be a synthetic version of T4-Thyroid Hormone.
This drug has remained consistent in securing the third position as the top
3 drugs prescribed in the U.S. It is sold with a generic name Levothyroxine
Sodium under the brand name Synthroid. However, it is not recommended to be
used for hypothyroidism when the patient undergoes the recovery phase of
subacute thyroiditis.
As the levels of thyroid rise in the body, side effects like increased heart
rate, nervousness, chest pain, excess sweating, and more can happen.
Securing either the first or second position for years, Lisinopril is one of
the most prescribed drugs in the United States. It is an ACE (Angiotensin
Converting Enzyme) inhibitor.
Lisinopril is mainly prescribed to treat high blood pressure, heart attack,
or congestive heart failure. Additionally, it is effective to prevent the
conditions of kidney failure and diabetes. This generic for Privinil or Zestril
has side effects like dry cough, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and
sexual dysfunction.
Is there anyone who hasn’t heard about Azithromycin? It isn’t popular as
drugs prescribed in the U.S. but has a name in the global market.
Azithromycin is a recognized medication to treat ear, throat, and sinus
infection.
Besides this, it is also prescribed for pneumonia, bronchitis, and STDs.
Some of the common side-effects of Azithromycin include diarrhea, vomiting,
nervousness, or allergies.
Needless to say that 30M+ Americans are suffering from diabetes. Metformin
is a highly effective drug for the treatment of Diabetes (Type-2). It can be
used by adults & children. You will always find it as one of the most
prescribed drugs in the United States.
Some mild side-effects like vomiting, gas, diarrhea, and nausea may occur.
Amlodipine is generic for Norvasc. It is a calcium channel blocker drug
mainly used for the treatment of high blood pressure and angina (chest pain).
Amlodipine is also one of the most recognized drugs in the US for years, since
its inception in 2005.
Headache, dizziness, weakness in the body, lower-extremity swelling, and
more are the common side effects of Amlodipine.
Bacterial infections have all-in-one Amoxicillin for treatment. Whether the
patient suffers from skin infections, urinary tract fungal infection, or
bacteria troubling in the ears, tonsils or throat, amoxicillin is very
effective.
Buy any from the Top 7 Drugs Prescribed in the United States
By the time you have viewed the top 7 drugs prescribed in the United States,
you now know what’s popular. If you have been prescribed with any of these
over-the-counter medicines, we can get them to you at affordable rates.
So, are you ready to shop for the most prescribed drugs in the US now?
Nilesh Mendpara
Updated on: August 20, 2024