The 10 Most Prescribed Drugs In The World
There are so many prescribed drugs in the world for a countless number of varying conditions. In fact, many have found themselves questioning if these drugs are actually being over-prescribed by medical professionals or if they are simply just doing their jobs and assisting their patients in coping with their ailments. When one looks at the incredibly large numbers of the top prescribed drugs in the world each year, the numbers are in fact, quite striking.
10. Hydrochlorothiazide
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47.8 million is the number of prescriptions of Hydrochlorothiazide that is prescribed to people per year. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (or water pill) that is used to treat high blood pressure, by way of preventing your body from absorbing too much salt, which then leads to water retention within the body. The medication can be used on its own or in addition to other prescribed medications.
9. Metformin
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An Antidiabetic of which is prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, at least, 48.3 million prescriptions are given to diabetes sufferers each and every year. Metformin is typically sold in its generic form and is often given in addition to insulin for added support. While there is no known risk to women who are pregnant, red flags are certainly raised when the drug is combined with alcohol.
8. Amoxicillin
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Quite possibly the most common antibiotic available and easily the most prescribed one (with 52.3 million yearly prescriptions), Amoxicillin also has several generic names it falls under. A form of Penicillin, it is commonly used to treat infections and stomach ulcers. The medication has been shown to be safe for the most part, for patients of all ages, and unlike certain drugs, has very few harmful side effects.
7. Azithromycin
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This powerful antibiotic is most commonly prescribed to help treat bacterial conjunctivitis (commonly referred to as pink-eye), however, research is consistently being conducted to find out if it has multiple benefits as well such as for middle ear infection and potentially whooping cough. More than 52.6 million of these antibiotics are believed to be prescribed per year to cure the uncomfortable condition of pink eye.
6. Omeprazole
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At least 53.4 million prescriptions of Omeprazole (under its various generic names) are prescribed yearly. And that number does not include over the counter purchases. The drug has been shown to help treat heartburn, damaged esophagus, stomach ulcers, and even GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). If a woman is pregnant and is needing this form of medication, it has been noted that she should speak with her healthcare physician before taking Omeprazole, as the side effects may be harmful to the baby.
5. Amlodipine Besylate
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Amlodipine Besylate is often prescribed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina (a form of chest pain that is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart). And at least, 57.2 million prescriptions are written to people every year. The drug is considered to be a long-acting calcium channel blocker and comes in the form of an easy to swallow, small white tablet.
4. Levothyroxine Sodium
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Levothyroxine Sodium is a prescribed medication (boasting over 70.5 million prescriptions a year) that is used to treat hypothyroidism and restore the body’s thyroid hormone balance. The drug is comprised of a man-made thyroid hormone that is identical to thyroxine (the hormone that is the body naturally makes via the thyroid gland.
3. Lisinopril
An ACE inhibitor, Lisinopril is sold in multiple generic forms with over 87.4 million prescriptions being handed out each year. The drug is typically used to treat high blood pressure and even heart failure. It has even been noted that is can be used to reduce the risk of death following a heart attack as well. It is important to note that negative side effects may come into play when the drug is mixed with alcohol and women should always speak with their doctor prior to taking the medication if they are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.
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2. Simvastatin
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An HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that goes by the name of Simvastatin is at number two on the list with 94.1 million prescriptions each year. The drug is typically prescribed to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Which may lead to a reduced risk of heart attack, stroke, and related health conditions. Though it appears to be incredibly helpful to many who are at risk, taking too much of the medication can lead to serious health issues and even death.
1. Hydrocodone
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When combined with acetaminophen, Hydrocodone falls easily at the top of the list of the most prescribed drugs, as its prescriptions boast a whopping 131.2 million each year. An opioid pain medication, Hydrocodone is typically the first pain medication to be prescribed to a patient for any number of reasons ranging from sprains to oral surgery and countless other common medical problems. The drugs significant ability to mask pain is perhaps the number one reason why it is the most common to be prescribed. That is also one of the reasons why the drug is so highly addictive.