Spending on medication in the United States rose 4.9 percent to $227.5 billion in 2009, according to "Formulary: Policy Watch." The rise in drug costs reflects the use of many nongeneric drugs. Brand-name drugs cost more than generic drugs and brand-name drugs lead the list of the top five drugs sold in 2009.
Lipitor
Lipitor, a cholesterol reducing drug, leads the list of the most widely prescribed drugs. The 2007 worldwide sales for Lipitor exceeded $12 billion, according to Masters and Trevor in the book "Basic and Clinical Pharmacology." Dosage in pill form ranges from 10 mg to 80 mg per day. Since the drug breaks down in the liver, the liver function test, serum aminotransferase levels require monitoring while taking the drug.
Nexium
Nexium, an anti-ulcer agent for the stomach, appears second on the list of the top drugs. Doctors order the Nexium capsule for gastroesophageal reflux disease and to prevent ulcers in patients using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. "Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses" reports the normal dosage as between 20 mg to 80 mg per day.
Plavix
Plavix, an anti-platelet drug, occupies the third place on the top drug list. According to the "Nurses Pocket Guide," Plavix increases the likelihood of bleeding and doctors will take patients off the drug prior to surgery. The Plavix pill works to thin the blood after heart attacks, strokes and in peripheral vascular disease with a dose of 75 mg. The doctor measures coagulation tests of prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time when individuals take the drug.
Advair
Advair Diskus, a breathing drug, comes in fourth on the list of top drugs. Doctors order Advair Diskus to treat the symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. This inhalation medication contains two drugs, fluticasone and salmeterol. Fluticasone, a steroid medication, treats inflammation; salmeterol, a bronchodilator, relaxes the airway muscles. Since deaths have been reported with the use of this medication, according to "Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses," the drug requires a physician’s supervision. The usual dose ranges from 45/21 to 500/50.
Seroquel
Seroquel, an anti-psychotic and anti-depression drug, appears as the fifth most-prescribed medication. Patients use Seroquel to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression. The pill ranges in dose from 25 mg to 800 mg per day. The "Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses" advises monitoring the liver function tests, serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels while taking the drug. According to "Adams and Victor’s Principles of Neurology," side effects of seizures and suicidal tendencies occur with use of Seroquel.
References
- “Adams and Victor’s Principles of Neurology”; A. H. Ropper & M. A. Samuels; 2009
- “Basic and Clinical Pharmacology”; S. B. Masters & A. J. Trevor; 2009
- “Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses”; Judith H. Deglin et al.; 2009
- “Nurses’ Pocket Guide”; M. E. Doenges, M. F. Moorhouse & A. C. Murr, 2010
- "Formulary"; Policy Watch; Jill Wechler; February 2009
