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© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
30. Prednisone
- Prednisone is a glucocorticoid used in the treatment of asthma and COPD, among other conditions. The total of Prednisone prescriptions in the US amount to 18,201,857.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
29. Meloxicam
- Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is often prescribed in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A total of 18,859,721 prescriptions were dispensed in the US.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
28. Insulin Glargine
- Insulin Glargine is a type of injected medical insulin. It's used to manage type I and type II diabetes. It was prescribed 18,983,905 times.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
27. Apixaban
- Apixaban is an anticoagulant used in the treatment and prevention of blood clots. American doctors prescribed it a total of 19,420,949 times.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
26. Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin is a popular penicillin antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections. The total of Amoxicillin prescriptions in the US amount to 20,465,164.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
25. Fluticasone
- Fluticasone is a glucocorticoid used to treat rhinosinusitis and allergies. A total of 22,557,458 prescriptions were dispensed by American doctors.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
24. Furosemide
- Furosemide is a diuretic used in the treatment of edema caused by a number of conditions, including congestive heart failure and liver disease. It was prescribed 23,067,424 times.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
23. Acetaminophen; Hydrocodone
- Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol is a popular non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic drug. Hydrocodone, on the other hand, is an opioid painkiller. Prescriptions of both drugs amount to 23,521,228.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
22. Fluoxetine
- This antidepressant, sold under the brand name Prozac, was prescribed 24,014,263 times.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
21. Bupropion
- Bupropion is an antidepressant that is also used to support smoking cessation. The total of Bupropion prescriptions in the US amount to 25,197,923.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
20. Tamsulosin
- Tamsulosin is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis. This drug was prescribed 25,306,357 times.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
19. Simvastatin
- Simvastatin is a statin used to lower lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels. A total of 26,459,069 prescriptions were dispensed by US doctors.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
18. Trazodone
- Trazodone is a popular antidepressant used to treat depressive and anxiety disorders. American doctors prescribed it 27,363,318 times.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
17. Montelukast
- Montelukast is a preventative drug used in the treatment of asthma. The total of Montelukast prescriptions in the US amount to 29,187,952.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
16. Pantoprazole
- Pantoprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor used to in the treatment of acid reflux, and gastro-esophageal reflux disease, and heartburn. Americans were prescribed this drug 30,670,528 times.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
15. Escitalopram
- This popular antidepressant, sold under the band names Cipralex and Lexapro, was prescribed 30,750,612 times.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
14. Dextroamphetamine; Dextroamphetamine Saccharate; Amphetamine; Amphetamine Aspartate
- This central nervous system stimulant is used in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (sleep disorder). A total of 34,690,297 prescriptions were dispensed .
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
13. Rosuvastatin
- Rosuvastatin is a statin used in the prevention of cardiovascular disease by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides levels. The drug was prescribed 37,095,971 times.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
12. Hydrochlorothiazide
- Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic used to treat edema and hypertension. The total of Hydrochlorothiazide prescriptions amount to 38,153,288.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
11. Sertraline
- Sertraline is an antidepressant of the serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. A total of 39,891,990 prescriptions were dispensed .
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
10. Gabapentin
- Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that is often used to treat seizures and neuropathic pain. Americans were prescribed Gabapentin 40,141,486 times.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
9. Omeprazole
- Omeprazole is a popular proton pump inhibitor used to treat a number of gastric issues, including indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux. A total of 52,132,950 prescriptions were dispensed by doctors in the US.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
8. Losartan
- Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker used to treat high blood pressure. The drug was prescribed 53,555,510 times.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
7. Albuterol
- Albuterol or Salbutamol, which is sold under the brand name Ventolin, is a bronchodilator used to treat asthma and other breathing issues. A total of 59,075,269 prescriptions were issued.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
6. Metoprolol
- Metoprolol is a beta blocker used to regulate heart rate, often in people with angina and hypertension. It was prescribed by doctors 65,245,216 times.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
5. Amlodipine
- This popular calcium channel blocker is used to treat high blood pressure. A total of 70,766,211 prescriptions were dispensed by doctors.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
4. Levothyroxine
- This drug, used in the treatment of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) was prescribed 82,431,914 times.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
3. Lisinopril
- Lisinopril is popular drug used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). The total of Lisinopril prescriptions amount to 82,513,967.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
2. Metformin
- Metformin is usually prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes to help control blood sugar levels. This drug was prescribed a total of 86,747,907 times.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
1. Atorvastatin
- Atorvastatin is the most prescribed drug in the US. It's a statin, used to prevent cardiovascular disease by treating high blood cholesterol. A total of 27,935,702 people have been prescribed the drug 109,582,746 times. Sources: (ClinCalc) (Statista) (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) (Insider Monkey) (SingleCare) See also: Signs you might be taking too many meds
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
30. Prednisone
- Prednisone is a glucocorticoid used in the treatment of asthma and COPD, among other conditions. The total of Prednisone prescriptions in the US amount to 18,201,857.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
29. Meloxicam
- Meloxicam is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is often prescribed in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A total of 18,859,721 prescriptions were dispensed in the US.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
28. Insulin Glargine
- Insulin Glargine is a type of injected medical insulin. It's used to manage type I and type II diabetes. It was prescribed 18,983,905 times.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
27. Apixaban
- Apixaban is an anticoagulant used in the treatment and prevention of blood clots. American doctors prescribed it a total of 19,420,949 times.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
26. Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin is a popular penicillin antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections. The total of Amoxicillin prescriptions in the US amount to 20,465,164.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
25. Fluticasone
- Fluticasone is a glucocorticoid used to treat rhinosinusitis and allergies. A total of 22,557,458 prescriptions were dispensed by American doctors.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
24. Furosemide
- Furosemide is a diuretic used in the treatment of edema caused by a number of conditions, including congestive heart failure and liver disease. It was prescribed 23,067,424 times.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
23. Acetaminophen; Hydrocodone
- Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol is a popular non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic drug. Hydrocodone, on the other hand, is an opioid painkiller. Prescriptions of both drugs amount to 23,521,228.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
22. Fluoxetine
- This antidepressant, sold under the brand name Prozac, was prescribed 24,014,263 times.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
21. Bupropion
- Bupropion is an antidepressant that is also used to support smoking cessation. The total of Bupropion prescriptions in the US amount to 25,197,923.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
20. Tamsulosin
- Tamsulosin is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis. This drug was prescribed 25,306,357 times.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
19. Simvastatin
- Simvastatin is a statin used to lower lower "bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels. A total of 26,459,069 prescriptions were dispensed by US doctors.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
18. Trazodone
- Trazodone is a popular antidepressant used to treat depressive and anxiety disorders. American doctors prescribed it 27,363,318 times.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
17. Montelukast
- Montelukast is a preventative drug used in the treatment of asthma. The total of Montelukast prescriptions in the US amount to 29,187,952.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
16. Pantoprazole
- Pantoprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor used to in the treatment of acid reflux, and gastro-esophageal reflux disease, and heartburn. Americans were prescribed this drug 30,670,528 times.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
15. Escitalopram
- This popular antidepressant, sold under the band names Cipralex and Lexapro, was prescribed 30,750,612 times.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
14. Dextroamphetamine; Dextroamphetamine Saccharate; Amphetamine; Amphetamine Aspartate
- This central nervous system stimulant is used in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (sleep disorder). A total of 34,690,297 prescriptions were dispensed .
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
13. Rosuvastatin
- Rosuvastatin is a statin used in the prevention of cardiovascular disease by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides levels. The drug was prescribed 37,095,971 times.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
12. Hydrochlorothiazide
- Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic used to treat edema and hypertension. The total of Hydrochlorothiazide prescriptions amount to 38,153,288.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
11. Sertraline
- Sertraline is an antidepressant of the serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. A total of 39,891,990 prescriptions were dispensed .
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
10. Gabapentin
- Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that is often used to treat seizures and neuropathic pain. Americans were prescribed Gabapentin 40,141,486 times.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
9. Omeprazole
- Omeprazole is a popular proton pump inhibitor used to treat a number of gastric issues, including indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux. A total of 52,132,950 prescriptions were dispensed by doctors in the US.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
8. Losartan
- Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker used to treat high blood pressure. The drug was prescribed 53,555,510 times.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
7. Albuterol
- Albuterol or Salbutamol, which is sold under the brand name Ventolin, is a bronchodilator used to treat asthma and other breathing issues. A total of 59,075,269 prescriptions were issued.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
6. Metoprolol
- Metoprolol is a beta blocker used to regulate heart rate, often in people with angina and hypertension. It was prescribed by doctors 65,245,216 times.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
5. Amlodipine
- This popular calcium channel blocker is used to treat high blood pressure. A total of 70,766,211 prescriptions were dispensed by doctors.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
4. Levothyroxine
- This drug, used in the treatment of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) was prescribed 82,431,914 times.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
3. Lisinopril
- Lisinopril is popular drug used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). The total of Lisinopril prescriptions amount to 82,513,967.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
2. Metformin
- Metformin is usually prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes to help control blood sugar levels. This drug was prescribed a total of 86,747,907 times.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
1. Atorvastatin
- Atorvastatin is the most prescribed drug in the US. It's a statin, used to prevent cardiovascular disease by treating high blood cholesterol. A total of 27,935,702 people have been prescribed the drug 109,582,746 times. Sources: (ClinCalc) (Statista) (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) (Insider Monkey) (SingleCare) See also: Signs you might be taking too many meds
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
The 30 most prescribed drugs in the US
Thousands of Americans take these medications
© Getty Images
There are over 20,000 prescription drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The number of medical prescriptions dispensed in the US has almost doubled from 2009 to 2022 (the latest year of available data). But which drugs are doctors prescribing the most?
We've compiled some data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and bring you a list of the 30 most prescribed drugs in the US. It should be noted that the survey data refers to the two years prior to publication. This means that the data published in 2024 is from 2022.
Click on to find out what are the most prescribed drugs in America.
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