Top 20 outpatient prescription medications (2024)

Medicines are an essential part of healthcare. They not only save lives and promote health but prevent diseases and epidemics, too. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about half of the U.S. population used a prescription drug in the past 30days.

For many patients, outpatient care plays an important role in accessing prescription drugs. Outpatient prescription drugs are typically those that may be obtained only by prescription and dispensed bypharmacies.

We used Definitive Healthcare data to examine outpatient prescription drug trends, including the most prescribed drugs based on the percentage of claims in 2022 YTD. These drugs treat common illnesses and health conditions and reflect the health needs of U.S.patients.

What are the most common outpatient prescriptiondrugs?

According to our database, some of the most common outpatient prescription drugs were related to chronic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, and infections. Based on percentage of claims, the top outpatient prescriptions were those used to treat high cholesterol and high blood pressure(hypertension).

Many of the same drugs have remained in the top 20 spots for several years. All are genericdrugs.

Atorvastatin calcium was the most prescribed drug in 2022, with 2.8% of claims. Atorvastatin is a statin used to treat abnormal lipid levels and prevent cardiovascular disease. It blocks an enzyme that helps make cholesterol and causes an increase in the breakdown of cholesterol. Atorvastatin is the generic form of the brand-name medicineLipitor.

Lisinopril was the second most common drug, with 2.0% of claims. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure as well as heart failure when used in combination with other drugs. It’s also used to prevent kidney problems in patients withdiabetes.

Amlodipine besylate, a calcium channel blocker (CCB), ranked third on our list, with 1.9% of claims in 2022 YTD. Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and certain types of chest pain(angina).

Which conditions do the top prescription drugstreat?

The top outpatient prescription medications treat some of the most common diseases in the U.S., such as heart disease and diabetes. Other commonly prescribed drugstreat:

  • Asthma

  • Bacterialinfections

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)

  • Highcholesterol

  • High bloodpressure

  • Inflammatoryconditions

  • Pain

  • Thyroiddisease

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Top 20 outpatient prescription medications (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 drugs prescribed in the United States? ›

The top 10 most prescribed drugs are atorvastatin, levothyroxine, lisinopril, metformin, metoprolol, amlodipine, albuterol, omeprazole, losartan, and gabapentin.

How can I get a list of all my medications? ›

Using a medication reminder app on a smartphone where you enter in the medications you take. Obtaining a medication list document from a healthcare provider's office. Downloading a blank medication list form online and filling it out.

What is the most widely used prescription drug in the world? ›

The Top 300 Drugs of 2021
RankDrug NameTotal Patients (2021)
1Atorvastatin28,111,470
2Metformin19,883,763
3Levothyroxine19,064,382
4Lisinopril20,475,892
94 more rows
Sep 12, 2021

What is an outpatient medication? ›

Outpatient Medication means medication which is dispensed for a person who is not a patient in the facility where the medication is dispensed.

What is the best selling prescription drug in the world? ›

The COVID-19 vaccine topped the list of 2022's 50 best-selling pharmaceuticals. It sold slightly more last year. atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinitus with nasal polyps. Merck & Co.

What is the most popular OTC drug in the US? ›

WHAT IS THE MOST COMMONLY USED OTC MEDICATION? The most commonly used over-the-counter medications include: Pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Medicines for heartburn and indigestion such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, cimetidine, and aluminum hydroxide.

Is there a medication database? ›

The National Library of Medicine (NLM)'s DailyMed searchable database provides the most recent labeling submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by companies and currently in use (i.e., "in use" labeling).

What is the best website for drug information? ›

Free resources
  • Drug Information Portal. ...
  • Drugs.com. ...
  • Drugs@FDA. ...
  • Epocrates Online. ...
  • MedlinePlus: Drugs, Herbs, and Supplements. ...
  • Medscape Reference: Drugs, Diseases, & Procedures. ...
  • PDR Health. ...
  • RxList. Offers detailed and current pharmaceutical information on brand and generic drugs and popular vitamins and supplements.

Is there an app to list my medications? ›

Download the Drugs.com app to gain access to My Med List even when your phone has poor (or no) connection to the Internet. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products.

What is the most over prescribed medication? ›

Opioids. Opioids to treat chronic pain represent the case of overprescribing of most concern. Opioids such as hydrocodone and Percocet® are useful for the short-term treatment of pain such as that occurring following a recent injury. Also, opioids are relatively safe for short-term use in appropriate oral doses.

What is the most expensive prescription drug? ›

Last updated on April 1, 2024.
  • Elevidys. ...
  • Skysona. ...
  • Zynteglo. Cost: $2.8 million per one-time dose. ...
  • Zolgensma. Cost: $2.1 million per one-time dose. ...
  • Myalept. Cost: $1.3 million annually. ...
  • Danyelza. Cost: $1.2 million annually. ...
  • Zokinvy. Cost: $1.2 million annually. ...
  • Kimmtrak. Cost: $ 1.1 million annually.
Apr 1, 2024

What is the most commonly abused prescription? ›

A: Although any prescription drug can be abused, the three types of drugs that are most commonly abused are: Painkillers, also known as narcotic or opiates/opioids. Examples include morphine, codeine, oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab) and meperidine (Demerol).

What is the number one prescription drug in America? ›

Atorvastatin calcium was the most prescribed drug in 2022, with 2.8% of claims. Atorvastatin is a statin used to treat abnormal lipid levels and prevent cardiovascular disease. It blocks an enzyme that helps make cholesterol and causes an increase in the breakdown of cholesterol.

What's the most common type of outpatient service? ›

A routine primary care visit is a common example of outpatient care. Other examples of outpatient care include: Diagnostic imaging (e.g., x-rays, MRIs) Bloodwork and urine tests.

What drugs does Medicare not pay for? ›

Medicare does not cover:
  • Drugs used to treat anorexia, weight loss, or weight gain. ...
  • Fertility drugs.
  • Drugs used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth. ...
  • Drugs that are only for the relief of cold or cough symptoms.
  • Drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction.

What is the most prescribed class of medication in the US? ›

Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes: Analgesics. Antihyperlipidemic agents. Vitamins.

What is America's most popular drug and its side effects? ›

Statins, one of the most extensively studied drugs on the planet, taken by tens of millions of Americans alone, have long had a perplexing side effect. Many patients—some 5 percent in clinical trials, and up to 30 percent in observational studies—experience sore and achy muscles, especially in the upper arms and legs.

What are three of the most commonly abused prescription drugs in the US? ›

What prescription drugs are commonly abused?
Drug TypeCommon Brand Names
Opioids/narcotics/pain relieversDilaudid, Lorcet, Lortab, OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Tylox, Vicodin
Depressants (benzodiazepines, tranquilizers, barbiturates, sedatives)Librium, Valium, Xanax
StimulantsAdderall, Concerta, Ritalin

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