In 2006, doctors wrote over 2.3 billion drug prescriptions for patients in physicians' offices, hospital outpatient departments and hospital emergency departments, as recorded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of these drugs, the most common type in all three locations is analgesics for pain control. Other top-ranking drug types include antidepressants, antihistamines and antiemetic agents.
Antibiotics
An antibiotic fights bacterial, fungal and some parasitic infections. Viral infections do not respond to treatment by antibiotics. Penicillin includes a group of antibiotics dispensed as Penicillin G, Penicillin V, amoxicillin, ampicillin, oxacillin and nafcillin. Uses for penicillin include sexually transmitted diseases, streptococcal infections and respiratory infections. Uses for cephalosporins such as Keflex, Ceclor, Duricef and Ceftin include respiratory, skin and soft-tissue infections. Fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin and trovafloxacin, are antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, sepsis and bacterial prostatitis, says the Merck Manual of Medical Information.
Blood Pressure Medications
Blood pressure medications target different causes for an elevated blood pressure reading. American Heart Association: Blood Pressure Control says that diuretics such as amiloride, bumetanide, furosemide and spironolactone lower blood pressure by removing excess fluids from the body. ACE inhibitors such as benazepril, captopril, fosinopril and lisinopril work to lower blood pressure by expanding the blood vessels and making it easier for the heart to pump more efficiently. Beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol, propanolol and carteolol work to lower blood pressure by decreasing the heart rate and cardiac output. Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine and verapamil lower blood pressure by blocking the absorption of calcium into the heart muscle. Some patients require a combination of blood pressure medications to achieve adequate control, as reported by the American Heart Association.
Pain Control
Pain control drugs come in various types and strengths to treat mild, temporary pain or for intense pain, such as that experienced by cancer patients or from major injuries. Over-the-counter pain control includes acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Prescription pain control includes corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone and dexamethasone for conditions that include arthritis and allergies. Opioids used for short-term control of severe pain include morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone and codeine. As stated by the Cleveland Clinic, antidepressants are sometimes useful in the treatment of chronic pain.
Antidiarrheal Drugs
Diarrhea treatment varies according to the cause. Drugs such as Cipro, Bactrim, Septra, Imodium and Noroxin treat traveler's diarrhea caused by the Escherichia coli bacteria. Drugs used to treat acute diarrhea include Imodium, Imotil, Diamode and Kao-Paverin, says Drugs.com. Treatment for chronic diarrhea includes Welchol, Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate, Imotil and Maalox Total Relief. Consult your physician for the appropriate treatment for antibiotic-related diarrhea.
