The most used pharmaceutical drug in the world, based on total prescriptions in 2022, is Atorvastatin.
This medication, commonly known by brand names such as Lipitor, topped the list with over 109 million prescriptions dispensed during that year. Atorvastatin is primarily prescribed to lower high cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke. Its widespread use highlights the global burden of cholesterol-related health issues.
Top Pharmaceutical Drugs by Prescription (2022)
Understanding drug usage often involves analyzing prescription data, which indicates the frequency with which healthcare providers recommend and patients fill prescriptions for specific medications. Here's a look at the leading drugs by total prescriptions in 2022:
| Rank | Drug Name | Total Prescriptions (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atorvastatin | 109,582,746 |
| 2 | Metformin | 86,747,907 |
| 3 | Lisinopril | 82,513,967 |
| 4 | Levothyroxine | 82,431,914 |
Prescription data sourced from ClinCalc's Top 300 Drugs of 2022.
Why is Atorvastatin So Widely Used?
The high prevalence of Atorvastatin can be attributed to several factors:
- High Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease: Heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, and elevated cholesterol is a major risk factor.
- Preventative Care: Atorvastatin is often prescribed for long-term prevention in individuals at risk, leading to sustained and repeat prescriptions.
- Effectiveness: It is a highly effective statin medication for lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol.
- Generic Availability: As a generic drug, Atorvastatin is more affordable and accessible to a broader patient population compared to patented medications.
Other Widely Prescribed Drugs
Following Atorvastatin, other drugs with significant prescription volumes reflect common global health concerns:
- Metformin: A primary medication for managing Type 2 diabetes, indicating the widespread prevalence of this metabolic condition.
- Lisinopril: An ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure, addressing another major cardiovascular risk factor.
- Levothyroxine: Prescribed for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), highlighting the common occurrence of thyroid disorders.
These top-ranking drugs collectively underscore the most prevalent chronic health conditions managed through medication on a global scale.
