The Most Commonly Prescribed Drugs in the USA

Introduction

The United States is one of the largest consumers of prescription drugs in the world. With millions of Americans relying on medications to manage their health, it's essential to understand what drugs are being prescribed the most. In this infographic, we'll explore the top 50 most commonly prescribed drugs in the USA, their uses, and potential side effects.

Top 50 Most Commonly Prescribed Drugs

1. ATORVASTATIN (Lipitor) - High Cholesterol and Heart Disease Prevention

• Prescribed for: High cholesterol, heart disease prevention
• Side effects: Muscle pain, diarrhea, nausea

2. METFORMIN (Glucophage, Fortamet) - Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

• Prescribed for: High blood sugar levels, Type 2 diabetes treatment
• Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

3. LEVOTHYROXINE (Synthroid) - Hypothyroidism Treatment

• Prescribed for: Hypothyroidism, goiters, and thyroid cancers
• Side effects: Headaches, nervousness, insomnia

4. LISINOPRIL (Zestril, Qbrelis) - High Blood Pressure and Heart Failure Treatment

• Prescribed for: High blood pressure and heart failure
• Side effects: Dizziness, cough, headache

5. AMLODIPINE (Norvasc) - High Blood Pressure Treatment

• Prescribed for: High blood pressure
• Side effects: Dizziness, swelling, headache

6. METOPROLOL (Lopressor) - High Blood Pressure and Angina Treatment

• Prescribed for: High blood pressure, angina
• Side effects: Dizziness, fatigue, depression

7. ALBUTEROL (ProAir) - Breathing Issues Treatment

• Prescribed for: Breathing issues caused by lung diseases such as asthma and COPD
• Side effects: Headaches, dizziness, nervousness

8. LOSARTAN (Cozaar) - High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease Treatment

• Prescribed for: High blood pressure and kidney disease in diabetes patients
• Side effects: Dizziness, headache, fatigue

9. OMEPRAZOLE (Prilosec) - Stomach Acid Production Reduction

• Prescribed for: Reduces stomach acid production
• Side effects: Headaches, diarrhea, nausea

10. GABAPENTIN (Gralise) - Seizures and Pain Treatment

• Prescribed for: Seizures and pain caused by nervous system conditions
• Side effects: Dizziness, fatigue, headaches

The Next 40 Most Commonly Prescribed Drugs

11-20

• SERTRALINE (Zoloft) - Depression, OCD, PTSD, PMDD, and other mood/mental disorders
• HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE (Microzide) - Fluid retention and high blood pressure
• ROSUVASTATIN (Crestor) - High cholesterol, heart disease risks
• MONTELUKAST (Singulair) - Allergies and asthma attacks
• ESCITALOPRAM (Lexapro) - Depression and generalized anxiety disorder
• SIMVASTATIN (FloLipid) - High cholesterol, heart disease risks
• DEXTROAMPHETAMINE; AMPHETAMINE (Adderall) - ADHD and narcolepsy
• BUPROPION (Wellbutrin) - Depression, smoking cessation, seasonal affective disorder
• PANTOPRAZOLE (Protonix) - Stomach acid production, heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD
• ACETAMINOPHEN; HYDROCODONE (Vicodin) - Moderate to severe pain, cough

21-30

• FUROSEMIDE - Fluid retention and swelling caused by heart, liver, and kidney diseases
• TRAZODONE - Major depressive disorders, anxiety, sleeping difficulties
• FLUTICASONE (Flovent) - Asthma, allergic rhinitis, emphysema, atopic dermatitis
• TAMSULOSIN (Flomax) - Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
• FLUOXETINE (Prozac) - Depression, OCD, bulimia nervosa, panic disorders
• CARVEDILOL (Coreg) - High blood pressure and heart failure
• DULOXETINE (Cymbalta) - Depression, anxiety, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain
• PREDNISONE - Decreases immune system response to reduce inflammation symptoms
• INSUL IN GLARGINE (Lantus Solostar) - Synthetic insulin used to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes
• POTASSIUM CHLORIDE - Treats low potassium levels (hypokalemia)

31-40

• CITALOPRAM (Celexa) - Depression
• MELOXICAM (Mobic) - Arthritis pain, swelling, and stiffness
• APIXABAN (Eliquis) - Treat and prevent blood clots, heart attack, stroke
• ASPIRIN - Pain, fever, swelling
• ERGOCALCIFEROL (Vitamin D2) - Prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency
• IBUPROFEN (Advil) - Pain, fever, swelling
• CLOPIDOGREL (Plavix) - Blood thinner to prevent stroke, heart attack, and other heart diseases
• AMOXICILLIN (Amoxil, Larotid) - Infections and stomach ulcers
• PRAVASTATIN (Pravachol) - High cholesterol, heart attack and stroke prevention
• ALLOPURINOL (Aloprim) - Uric acid reducer, gout and kidney stones

41-50

• TRAMADOL (Ultram) - Moderate to severe pain
• ALPRAZOLAM (Xanax) - Anxiety and panic disorders
• METHYLPHENIDATE (Daytrana) - ADHD and narcolepsy
• VENLAFAXINE (Effexor) - Depression, anxiety disorders, panic disorders
• CYCLOBENZAPRINE (Fexmid) - Pain and stiffness caused by muscle spasms
• LONAZEPAM (Klonopin) - Panic disorders, epilepsy, seizures, anxiety
• ATENOLOL (Tenormin) - High blood pressure, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and angina (chest pain)
• GLIPIZIDE (Glucotrol) - Stimulates pancreas to produce insulin (for type 2 diabetes treatment)

Conclusion

The top 50 most commonly prescribed drugs in the USA are a mix of medications for various health conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and mental health disorders. While these medications can be effective in managing symptoms and preventing complications, it's essential to use them responsibly and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.