In this article, we will take a look at the 20 most used prescription drugs in the US. If you don’t want to get into details, you can comfortably head to the 5 Most Used Prescription Drugs in the US. 

Prescription drugs have become an important part of healthcare in the US and around the world. These drugs are prescribed by healthcare providers to treat several diseases, be they acute infections or chronic diseases. Since they provide a more inexpensive alternative to brand-name treatments, the use of generic drugs has grown in popularity in recent years. According to the World Bank, the global economy dropped by 5.2% in 2022. People’s healthcare expenses were significantly impacted by the economic decline, which led people to search for affordable but effective medications. As a result, the generic drug market experienced an abrupt growth in size, which turned out to be advantageous for the companies that make these medicines including Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), and Cipla Ltd among others. 

The generic drug business is extremely competitive, and the same medication is frequently produced by several producers. Price reductions are made possible by this competition, which also promotes industry innovation. According to reports, the size of the worldwide generic drug market was estimated at $439.37 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 670.82 billion by 2030, increasing at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2022 to 2030. 

The Effects Of Covid-19 On The Generic Drug Market  

Due to lockdown limitations and supply chain disruption during the early stages of the pandemic, COVID-19 has had a significant influence on the generic drug market. Talking about the demand side, there has been an extreme drug shortage at the pharmacy counter due to a run on medications.

Patients filing more prescriptions than usual and seeking 90-day supplies rather than the typical 30 days have led to an increase in pharmacy “stockouts” even for medications that have no connection to COVID-19. For instance, patients who depend on chloroquine for chronic diseases have experienced shortages because of unfounded claims that the drug may treat coronavirus.

The generic market has seen significant consolidation, which has reduced the number of prospective producers, reduced competition, and raised prices. This has also contributed to the concentration of manufacturing and sourcing in several countries. The majority of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which are essential elements of medicines are imported. 80 percent of the APIs used in medications supplied in the United States come from China and India.

Companies frequently use a single factory to produce their whole inventory, so if there is a disruption in one area, such as when the economy is shut down due to a pandemic, or a problem at a single plant, such as contamination or quality issues, it could result in a shortage. 

According to the life sciences analytical institute, COVID-19 raised pharmaceutical spending by $88 billion, or a shift in the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%, compared to 4.5% if the pandemic hadn’t occurred. Although it is anticipated that COVID-19 vaccine spending will increase the market by $157 billion through 2025 (with a range of $73 billion to $213 billion), the authors claim that the pandemic resulted in a $68 billion loss because of disruptions. According to the analysis, the market will spend about similarly to pre-pandemic levels overall, except for COVID-19 vaccines, and should have a 3% to 6% CAGR.

The report says:

“Perhaps the largest uncertainty in the next five years will be the potential impact of economic factors on countries’ budgeting and whether there will be shifts in policies regarding healthcare and medicine spending. It is expected that the pricing and value of medicines will be under increased scrutiny during this period, but this was an event that was already underway in most developed markets and an increasingly key issue in the U.S. market.”

Given the size of the global market for generic drugs, growth is expected to continue during the forecast period. The prevalence of chronic diseases, the rise in the number of elderly people, and rising healthcare costs are all reasons for this expansion. For instance, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that there were around 537 million individuals (20-79 years) living with diabetes worldwide in 2021, and that figure would increase to 643 million by 2030, and 783 million by 2045. Thus, based on the aforementioned considerations, it is anticipated that the market would expand significantly throughout the forecast period. 

Role Of The Key Players In The Growth Of The Generic Drug Market 

The main market players are also anticipated to assist the market’s growth with a variety of organic and inorganic methods. Guanfacine XR, a generic version of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) treatment medicine INTUNIV XR from Takeda Canada Inc., was introduced by Jamp Pharma Group in February 2022. Additionally, the Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group in China submitted the initial marketing application for the class 3 generic drug Eslicarbazepine acetate, in October 2021, which is used to treat epileptic patients. Similarly, Sandoz, a world leader in generic and biosimilar medications, introduced Generic Ferumoxytol, an injectable medication used to treat iron deficiency anemia (IDA), in the United States in July 2021. 

Our Methodology 

For our methodology, we have ranked the 20 most used prescription drugs in the US in ascending order based on their total number of prescriptions as of 2022, for which the data is publicly available on the sources like Healthgrades and Clincalc among others. 

Here is our list of the 20 most used prescription drugs in the US:

20. Pantoprazole

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 26,604,040 

Pantoprazole, associated with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), sold under the brand name Protonix, is a drug that is used to treat illnesses like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach and duodenal ulcers, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is a member of the therapeutic class known as proton pump inhibitors and relieves symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux by lowering the amount of acid produced in the stomach. The Pantoprazole API market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period of 2020-2026.

19. Furosemide

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 26,786,296 

Furosemide, which is a member of the loop diuretics pharmacological class and sold under the brand name Lasix, is used to treat disorders like edema (fluid retention) and hypertension (high blood pressure). It helps to alleviate symptoms like edema and shortness of breath by boosting the output of urine and decreasing the amount of fluid in the body.  

18. Bupropion

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 28,889,368 

Bupropion, sold under the brand names Wellbutrin and Zyban, is an atypical antidepressant used mostly to help people quit smoking, and treat serious depressive disorders. The total number of Bupropion patients in 2022 was 5.8 million, and the drug was prescribed around 28.88 million times.  

17. Rosuvastatin 

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 29,750,488 

Rosuvastatin, a statin medication, is used to treat abnormal lipids and prevent cardiovascular disease in high-risk individuals. It is marketed under the brand name Crestor and is advised to be used in conjunction with weight loss, exercise, and dietary changes. It is consumed orally. The worldwide Rosuvastatin market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% over the forecast period of 2020-2026.

16. Acetaminophen; Hydrocodone

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 30,100,356 

A combination drug called Acetaminophen; Hydrocodone, which contains both Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone, is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Acetaminophen boosts hydrocodone’s ability to relieve pain while also lowering temperature. Whereas, Hydrocodone is an opioid analgesic that functions by attaching to opioid receptors in the brain. The total number of prescriptions for this particular medicine is 30 million, representing a total of 8.5 million patients. 

15. Escitalopram 

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 30,605,646 

Escitalopram is one of the drugs associated with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA), sold under the brand name Lexapro, and used to treat illnesses including depression and anxiety disorders. It is a member of the medicinal class known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and functions by raising serotonin levels in the brain, which can elevate mood and lessen depressive, and anxious symptoms. 

14. Montelukast

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 31,984,479 

Montelukast, marketed under the trade name Singulair, is used to treat allergic rhinitis and chronic hives. It is generally less recommended for this usage than inhaled corticosteroids and is not effective for acute bouts of asthma.  The total number of prescriptions is 31.98 million, representing a total of 7.2 million patients. 

13. Simvastatin 

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 36,600,871 

Simvastatin, sold under the brand name Zocor, is used to decrease blood cholesterol levels and is a member of the statin drug class. It works by preventing the liver’s ability to produce cholesterol, and it can be recommended to those with high cholesterol who haven’t been able to lower their levels on their own by making lifestyle changes. Additionally, it is utilized to stop cardiovascular problems like heart attacks and strokes. 

12. Sertraline

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 38,219,814 

Sertraline, sold under the brand name Zoloft, is used to treat problems like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. It functions by raising serotonin levels in the brain, which can elevate mood and lessen depressive and anxious symptoms. 

11. Hydrochlorothiazide

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 41,476,098 

Hydrochlorothiazide, sold under the brand names Microzide, HydroDiuril, and Oretic, is a diuretic drug frequently prescribed to treat high blood pressure and edema brought on by fluid retention. Other applications include the treatment of renal tubular acidosis and diabetes insipidus, as well as lowering kidney stone risk in people with high urine calcium levels. 

10. Gabapentin

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 49,961,066 

Next on the list, we have Gabapentin which is a special drug used to treat nerve pain and seizures. It is sold under the brand name Neurontin and is frequently administered to those who suffer from epilepsy, or nerve damage brought on by diseases like shingles or diabetes. Additionally, it can be used to treat some types of hot flashes and restless legs syndrome. The global market for gabapentin was worth $1625.54 million in 2022, and it is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% from 2022 to 2028, reaching $1841.13 million. 

9. Losartan 

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 54,815,411 

Losartan is sold under the brand name Cozaar. It is a drug that lowers high blood pressure and belongs to the class of drugs known as angiotensin receptor blockers, and is regarded as kidney-protective. In 2020, the market for losartan was estimated to be worth $4.73 billion, and over the forecast period (2020-2026), it is anticipated to expand at a remarkable pace of 7.81%. 

8. Omeprazole 

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 56,300,064 

Omeprazole, sold under the brand names Prilosec and Losec mainly, is used to treat peptic ulcer disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux illness. Additionally, it is used to stop upper gastrointestinal bleeding in high-risk individuals. The global market for omeprazole was valued at $2,668.4 million in 2017 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2018 to 2026. 

7. Albuterol 

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 61,948,347 

Albuterol is also one of the drugs associated with Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Limited (NYSE:TEVA). It is used to treat breathing diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and others. It is sold under the brand names Proventil HFA and Proair HFA and is usually taken through an inhaler. It is most frequently used to treat symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath in both adults and children. 

6. Metoprolol

Total Number Of Prescriptions: 66,413,692 

Metoprolol, associated with Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), sold under the brand names Lopressor and Toprol XL, is used to treat a disease that specifically blocks the β₁ receptor. It is used to treat excessive blood pressure, chest pain brought on by inadequate heart blood flow, and a variety of illnesses characterized by an unnaturally rapid heartbeat. 

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Disclosure. None: 20 Most Used Prescription Drugs in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.