The Top 10 Prescription Medications, Revealed

Did you know that over 20,000 prescription medication products have approval from the U.S. FDA? While FDA-approved, they still require a valid prescription from a licensed practitioner. Such a document is necessary since these drugs can be harmful if not used as directed.

Interestingly, a significant portion of prescription medication sales comes from 10 drugs alone. So if you're one of the 131 million Americans who use prescription drugs, odds are, the ones you need are among them.

So then, what exactly are the most popular prescribed medications? What are they for, and where can you buy them?

Keep reading as we've shared the most crucial facts you need to know below.

1. Lipitor (Atorvastatin)

Lipitor is a brand-name drug used for high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels. Before its market exclusivity expired, it was one of the top-selling prescriptions worldwide. That expiration then gave rise to its generic version, atorvastatin.

However, Lipitor remains one of the most prescribed medications in the U.S. and worldwide. But since generic drugs can lower prescription costs, more doctors now prescribe atorvastatin.

2. Norvasc (Amlodipine)

Norvasc is another brand-name medication available in the generic form, amlodipine. Doctors prescribe it to patients who have hypertension (high blood pressure). It helps lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Note that almost half of U.S. adults have hypertension. So it's no wonder Norvasc, and its generic form, are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S.

3. Metformin

Metformin is one of the most common medications given to patients with type 2 diabetes. T2D, in turn, affects about 90% to 95% of the 37 million Americans with diabetes.

Metformin is the generic form of drugs like Actoplus Met, Glucophage, and Janumet. However, it works like the brand-name version to treat T2D by lowering blood sugar levels. It's so commonly prescribed as it's often the first line of treatment for T2D.

4. Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that can help treat bacterial infections. For example, doctors prescribe it for ear infections, bronchitis, strep throat, and pneumonia. It works by inhibiting and stopping the spread of the pathogen causing the infection.

Amoxicillin's wide use isn't surprising, considering bacterial infections are rampant. After all, there are over 1,400 described pathogens on the planet, many of which are bacteria.

5. Lisinopril

Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor medication. As an ACE inhibitor, it helps relax the blood vessels, promoting vasodilation. That then causes the arteries and veins to widen, lowering blood pressure.

Lisinopril entered the U.S. market in 1987 after the FDA approved its use for high blood pressure. Until June 2002, it was only available as the brand-name drug Prinivil. After Prinivil's patent expired, the generic version, lisinopril, became available.

6. Albuterol

Albuterol is an adrenergic bronchodilator used to treat symptoms of some lung diseases. It works by opening up the lung's air passages, enabling improved breathing. It can help alleviate wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

Albuterol is one of the most prescribed medications since millions in the U.S. have lung disease. Asthma alone affects approximately 25 million Americans. That's on top of the 14.8 million adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

7. Levothyroxine

Levothyroxine is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for hypothyroidism. This condition results in patients not having enough thyroid hormone in their bloodstream. Low thyroid hormone levels, in turn, can lead to a slow metabolic rate.

Levothyroxine can help because it's a synthesized version of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. In short, it replaces the natural thyroxine that your body otherwise can't produce. Thus, it can help prevent symptoms resulting from hypothyroidism.

Levothyroxine is the generic version of several brand-name drugs like Synthroid and Levoxyl. The brand-name versions are usually inexpensive, but you can save even more if you go generic.

8. Omeprazole

Omeprazole is a medication classified as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). PPIs are drugs that reduce the level of acids made by stomach glands.

Reducing excess stomach acids helps treat gastrointestinal diseases. Such conditions include stomach ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Omeprazole is the most commonly used and cheapest PPI in the market. It was available only with a prescription in the U.S. until the FDA approved Prilosec OTC in 2015. However, patients who opt for the OTC brand-name drug can only take it for 14 consecutive days.

So if you need to take omeprazole for longer, you may already need a prescription. The good news is that buying medications online lets you get them in bulk, such as in 84-tablet supplies.

9. Losartan

Losartan is a prescription medication classified as an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). ARBs are drugs that block a substance in the body that makes the blood vessels tighten. As such, doctors prescribe losartan (and other ARBs) to patients with hypertension.

So by taking losartan, your blood vessels can relax. That lowers your blood pressure, helping more blood and oxygen flow to your heart.

Losartan is the generic form of the brand-name drugs Cozaar and Hyzaar. The branded versions are affordable, but if you want the most savings, go generic.

10. Antihistamines

Antihistamines are among the most common medications prescribed for allergies. They work by blocking histamine, a substance released by the body in response to an allergen. As a result, antihistamines can prevent and ease allergy symptoms.

Many antihistamines are available over the counter. However, some people with allergies have more severe allergic reactions. As such, they often need prescription-grade medications like Clarinex (desloratadine).

Antihistamines are some of the top-selling drugs in the U.S., as up to 50 million people have allergies yearly. Moreover, these conditions have no cure. Only prevention and treatment can help combat their symptoms.

Save Money When Buying Prescription Medication

And there you have it, your guide to the most common prescription medications. Now you know many of these drugs are for chronic conditions, which is why most people take them for months or years. That's why even those that don't cost much can be a burden in the long run.

The good news is that Price Pro Pharmacy can fill prescriptions for much less. So, consider ordering your prescription medication from us today to start saving money.

WORKS CITED:

1. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-basics/fact-sheet-fda-glance
2. https://hpi.georgetown.edu/rxdrugs/#
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8609409/
4. https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/six-tips-for-lowering-your-prescription-drug-costs/
5. https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/data-reports/hypertension-prevalence.html
6. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html
7. https://www.pricepropharmacty.com/bacterial-vs-viral-infections-the-differences-explained/
8. https://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-017-0433-z
9. https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/product/prinivil/
10. https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/categories/hypothyroidism/
11. https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/online-pharmacies-10-benefits-of-using-an-online-canada-pharmacy/
12. https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/best-allergy-medication/
13. https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/products/