Commonly Used Meds (Q7)

Question 1

Type of Drug: Diuretic (water pill)
Used to Treat: High Blood Pressure
Number of Prescriptions in 2010: 47.8 million
Purpose: Treats high blood pressure which is one of the major risk factors for stroke and heart disease. About 1 in 3 American adults currently have high blood pressure. High BP is often more common in older adults, obese children and adults, people with a family history, smokers, people with limited exercise and African Americans.

Answer 1

Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)

Question 2

Type of Drug: Anti-diabetic
Used to Treat: Diabetes
Number of Prescriptions in 2010: 48.3 million
Purpose: Used to control blood sugar in diabetes patients. 8% of the US population has Type II diabetes and over 3x that number are diagnosed as pre-diabetic. In 2010 alone, 1.9 million new cases of diabetes in adults were diagnosed according to the American Diabetes Association.

Answer 2

Metformin HCL (Glucophage)

Question 3

Type of Drug: Antibiotic
Used to Treat: Bacterial Infections
Number of Prescriptions in 2010: 52.3 million
Purpose: These medications are used to treat infections of the nose, throat, skin and urinary tract. Improper use (treating cold and flu viruses) has led to an increasing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Answer 3

Amoxicillin (Amoxil)

Question 4

Type of Drug: Antibiotic
Used to Treat: Bacterial Infections
Number of Prescriptions in 2010: 52.6 million
Purpose: Also used to treat nose, throat and urinary tract infections as well as lung infections and some STDs.

Answer 4

Azithromycin (Zithromax)

Question 5

Type of Drug: Proton Pump Inhibitor
Used to Treat: Acid Reflux
Number of Prescriptions in 2010: 53.4 million
Purpose: About 20% of Americans suffer from acid reflux and heartburn requiring the use of a drug such as Prilosec. Risk factors include obesity, cigarette smoking and poor diet.

Answer 5

Omeprazole (Prilosec)

Question 6

Type of Drug: Calcium Channel Blocker
Used to Treat: High Blood Pressure
Number of Prescriptions in 2010: 57.2 million
Purpose: Two thirds of people over 60 have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and the Baby Boomers are just beginning to hit age 65. Blood pressure medications make up three of the top ten most prescribed drugs.

Answer 6

Amlodipine Besylate (Norvasc)

Question 7

Type of Drug: Thyroid Hormone
Used to Treat: Low-functioning Thyroid Gland
Number of Prescriptions in 2010: 70.5 million
Purpose: 9% of women and 1% of men suffer from low thyroid hormones. Symptoms include slow speech, lack of energy, weight gain, hair loss, increased sensitivity to cold and dry skin.

Answer 7

Levothyroxine Sodium (Synthroid)

Question 8

Type of Drug: ACE Inhibitor
Used to Treat: High Blood Pressure
Number of Prescriptions in 2010: 87.4 million
Purpose: Stress also causes high blood pressure. Condition is more prevalent in the poor and people in high-pressure employment situations.

Answer 8

Lisinopril (Prinivil)

Question 9

Type of Drug: Statin
Used to Treat: High Cholesterol
Number of Prescriptions in 2010: 94.1 million
Purpose: Nearly 36 million Americans have high cholesterol which more than doubles their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Answer 9

Simvastatin (Zocor)

Question 10

Type of Drug: Opioid
Used to Treat: Pain
Number of Prescriptions in 2010: 131.2 million
Purpose: Prescribed for chronic pain, which affects 20% to 30% of adults and is twice as common in women as in men. Also frequently used for dental procedures. A high rate of misuse is noted for this drug.

Answer 10

Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen (Vicodin)