The pharmaceutical industry has revolutionized the way we treat our health. There was a time that when people had pain, they didn’t have a little pill that eased it. And there was a time that when you had an infection,death was very likely. Today, 70% of Americans take at least one type of prescription drug, while 50% take at least two. There are pills to control diabetes, treat depression, decrease your risk of heart disease, and something for most every ailment possible.
Here are the most prescribed medications in the USA:
Hydrocodone
For people with moderate to severe pain, hydrocodone is often recommended by healthcare professionals. It is also sometimes prescribed to relieve coughing. Hydrocodone is considered a narcotic because it uses the brain and nervous system to relieve pain. Unfortunately, as a narcotic, hydrocodone is also highly addictive.
Generic Syhnthroid
Synthroid is a prescription drug that restores the balance of your thyroid hormone by swapping the hormone that the body already naturally makes. It is used to treat hypothyroidism, which is a condition in which your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones. This can lead to health issues like obesity, heart disease, joint pain and infertility.
Generic Prilosec
Prilosec, also known as Omeprazole, is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastritis. It is usually combined with antibiotics like amoxicillin and clarithromycin to treat these gastric issues. Prilosec is the best-selling drug on the market, making close to 6-million dollars a year. It has recently been put on the market to treat chronic heartburn.
Amoxicillin
As the leading antibiotic, amoxicillin treats bacterial infections, lyme disease, pneumonia, urinary-tract infections, chlamydia, Salmonella and other infections. Some people develop bad reactions to the drug, often resulting in a large rash, yes it is frequently known as the most prescribed antibiotic. Since this antibiotic covers so many different infections, amoxicillin has become one of the most common drugs on the market.
Lisinopril
High blood pressure is one of the most common health problems for Americans. Sometimes, this is caused by genetics or it is linked to other health issues, such as obesity. Lisinopril is the most prescribed high blood pressure medication on the market. It uses chemicals to tighten blood vessels so that your heart can pump in an efficient manner. However, the drug is not a cure- it is used only to control high blood pressure and heart failure.
Azithromycin
Azithromycin is another antibiotic, used to treat a few bacterial infections, such as sexually transmitted diseases, bronchitis, pneumonia and infections of the lungs, sinuses, throat, ears and reproductive organs. It stops the growth of bacteria, which means it can’t do anything for viruses like the flu.
Hydrochlorothiazide
When your body retains too much fluid, it can cause a myriad of health issues, including heart disease and high blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide is known as a water pill because it gets rid of the excess water and salt from your body through your kidneys. It also prevents kidney stones for those who are prone to them.
Regardless of how healthy you try to be through diet and exercise, there may come a time when you need a prescription drug, whether it’s because of genetics or as a result of age. As long as you do your research and know all the details from your doctor, you can use the medication to fight whatever ails you.
About the author: This article was exclusively written for Pharma Mirror Magazine by Marcela De Vivo. She is a freelance writer in Southern California, and her writing covers many different health topics. She likes to find healthy ways to supplement medications, such as with yoga or other forms of exercise.
