What is the most prescribed drug in America?

Asked by: Marina Yundt III  |  Last update: December 17, 2025
Score: 5/5 (27 votes)

What is the Most Prescribed Drug in the United States? The most prescribed drug in America is atorvastatin. The most common brand name for atorvastatin is Lipitor.

What is the #1 prescribed drug?

Atorvastatin calcium was the most prescribed drug in 2022, with 2.8% of claims.

What is the number 1 selling drug in America?

Ranked: America's Top-Selling Drugs in 2023

Right at the top, semaglutide, (available as Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy) attracted nearly $40 billion in consumer spending in 2023. Initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes, semaglutide is now the key active ingredient in weight loss drugs for those who can afford it.

What is the most used drug in America?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), marijuana is the most used drug in the United States. Legalization for medical and recreational use at state levels contributes to this. Prescription drugs: Pain relievers represent some of the most popular prescription-type drugs.

What is the most commonly used drug by total spend in the United States?

According to a new study published April 24 in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, semaglutide — known by brand names Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, and often prescribed for diabetes or weight management — topped the list of most popular drugs by overall U.S. spending in 2023.

Why drugs cost more in America

38 related questions found

What is the most over prescribed drug in the US?

What is the Most Prescribed Drug in the United States? The most prescribed drug in America is atorvastatin. The most common brand name for atorvastatin is Lipitor.

What is the biggest selling drug in 2024?

Keytruda is projected to be the top-ranked drug worldwide based on sales in 2024, with more than 27 billion U.S. dollars.

What is America's number one addiction?

Alcohol Addiction

It's not only the most common addiction but also one of the most dangerous, leading to severe long-term health issues such as liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and neurological damage.

Which is the most heavily abused drug?

Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in the world, and it can lead to various health problems. Alcohol abuse is responsible for over 100,000 deaths annually in the United States alone, making it the fourth leading cause of preventable death in the country.

What is the world's most legal drug?

Caffeine-world's most widely consumed legal, unregulated psychoactive drug.

What is the new drug released in 2024?

Among 2024's notable new drugs were three approvals for antibiotic therapies: Allecra Therapeutics' Exblifep (cefepime and enmetazobactam), Basilea Pharmaceutica's Zevtera (ceftobiprole medocaril sodium), and Iterum Therapeutics' Orlynvah (sulopenem etzadroxil and probenecid).

What is the greatest drug of all time?

1. Penicillin (1942) Penicillin was first developed in 1928 but started to be used in 1942. As the first official antibiotic, it marked a turning point in human history and led the way in the treatment of numerous bacterial diseases.

What is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States?

Prescription drug abuse is the Nation's fastest-growing drug problem and has been classified as an epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What drug is 111?

Each butterscotch yellow, film-coated, D-shaped tablet, engraved with "111" on one side and nothing on the other side, contains 10 mg of cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride.

What is the 1st drug?

Until the mid-nineteenth century nature's pharmaceuticals were all that were available to relieve man's pain and suffering. The first synthetic drug, chloral hydrate, was discovered in 1869 and introduced as a sedative-hypnotic; it is still available today in some countries.

What is the most common prescription drug addiction?

Opioids (such as OxyContin and Vicodin), central nervous system depressants (such as Xanax and Valium), and stimulants (such as Concerta and Adderall) are the most commonly abused prescription drugs.

What drug is most used in America?

1. Alcohol
  • By far, alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the United States. ...
  • The social acceptance of drinking can make an alcohol addiction hard to spot. ...
  • Nicotine addiction may not appear as harmful as many other addictions.

What is the most consumed drug in the world?

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is by far the most used and widespread illegal drug around the world. In 2021, the estimated number of cannabis users worldwide was around 219 million. Laws regarding the use and sale of cannabis vary significantly by country.

What is the most common drug found in crashes?

After alcohol, marijuana is the drug most often found in the blood of drivers involved in crashes. Tests for detecting marijuana in drivers measure the level of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana's mind-altering ingredient, in the blood.

How common is porn addiction?

Porn Addiction Is a REAL Problem

In 2019, one study found that 11% of men and 3% of women reported that they were addicted to pornography. Statistics on porn use, self-reported porn addiction, and rates of porn addiction and use by demographic and other factors highlight the need for porn addiction treatment.

What is the most addictive food in the world?

Every person has different food preferences, of course, but most will agree that seven of the most addictive foods are:
  • Pizza.
  • Chocolate.
  • Potato chips.
  • Ice cream.
  • French fries.
  • Cake.
  • Cheeseburgers.

What is the most expensive drug ever sold?

Clark Sickle-Leaf Carpet, 17th Century Antique Persian Carpet - $33 million. The most expensive rug ever sold is the Clark Sickle-Leaf Carpet, a 17th-century Persian masterpiece. Initially estimated at around $10 million, it fetched a staggering $33.7 million at a Sotheby's auction in 2013.

What is the most prescribed drug in America today?

With nearly 110 million dispensed prescriptions, atorvastatin was the most prescribed medicine in the United States in 2022.

What is a blockbuster drug?

A blockbuster drug is a very popular drug that generates annual sales of $1 billion or more for the company that sells it. Common blockbuster drugs are Vioxx, Lipitor, and Zoloft. Blockbuster drugs are used for common ailments, such as diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cancer, that many individuals face.