From the Guidelines
The most common brand names for widely used medications in the USA include those for hypertension, such as Lisinopril, Amlodipine, and Metoprolol, as well as medications for other common conditions like diabetes, cholesterol, and asthma. According to the study 1, the top 20 medications prescribed in the US for hypertension include Lisinopril, Amlodipine, Metoprolol, Losartan, and Hydrochlorothiazide. Some of the most common prescription drugs include:
- Lipitor (atorvastatin) for cholesterol
- Synthroid (levothyroxine) for thyroid conditions
- Crestor (rosuvastatin) for cholesterol
- Ventolin (albuterol) for asthma
- Nexium (esomeprazole) for acid reflux
- Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) for asthma/COPD
- Lantus (insulin glargine) for diabetes
- Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) for ADHD
- Lyrica (pregabalin) for nerve pain
- Eliquis (apixaban) for blood clots Other common medications include:
- Januvia (sitagliptin) for diabetes
- Humira (adalimumab) for autoimmune conditions
- Xarelto (rivaroxaban) for blood clots
- Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) for opioid dependence
- Jardiance (empagliflozin) for diabetes
- Trulicity (dulaglutide) for diabetes
- Ozempic (semaglutide) for diabetes/weight loss
- Brilinta (ticagrelor) for heart conditions
- Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) for heart failure
- Farxiga (dapagliflozin) for diabetes Over-the-counter medications include:
- Tylenol (acetaminophen)
- Advil (ibuprofen)
- Aleve (naproxen)
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- Claritin (loratadine)
- Zyrtec (cetirizine)
- Pepcid (famotidine)
- Prilosec (omeprazole)
- Mucinex (guaifenesin) These medications represent various therapeutic categories addressing the most common health conditions in the United States, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pain management, respiratory conditions, and gastrointestinal disorders, as supported by the study 1.
From the Research
Commonly Prescribed Drugs in the USA
The following are some of the most common drugs prescribed in the USA, along with their brand names:
- Metformin (Glucophage) 2
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 2
- Paracetamol (Tylenol) 3
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 3
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil) 4
- Salbutamol (Ventolin) 4
Top 200 Prescribed Drugs
A study published in 2018 compiled a list of the top 200 prescribed drugs in the United States, including their generic names, pharmacological actions, routes of administration, and adverse reaction profiles 5. However, the study does not provide a comprehensive list of brand names for these drugs.
Limitations of Available Data
While there are studies that evaluate the efficacy and safety of certain drugs, such as metformin and atorvastatin 2, there is a lack of data regarding the level of evidence for the most prescribed medications 4. Additionally, some studies have found that certain drugs, such as phloroglucinol or cholecalciferol, may not be effective for their most common indications 4.
Over-the-Counter Medications
A study published in 2023 found that the most common over-the-counter (OTC) medications used by patients were paracetamol and ibuprofen 3. However, this study did not provide a comprehensive list of the top 100 drugs in the USA.
Prescribed Medications
Another study published in 2024 evaluated the evidence base of the 10 most prescribed drugs in England, France, and the United States 4. While this study provides some information on the most commonly prescribed medications, it does not provide a comprehensive list of the top 100 drugs in the USA.