What is the most commonly used drug in the United States?

October 13, 2025 •

3 min read

In 2022, approximately 110 million prescriptions were written for atorvastatin in the United States. This raises the question: What is the most commonly used drug in the United States, and what does its prevalence say about national health trends?

Quick Summary

The most commonly used prescription drug in the U.S. is atorvastatin, a statin for high cholesterol. The most common over-the-counter drug ingredient is acetaminophen, a pain reliever and fever reducer found in hundreds of products.

Key Points

Prescription vs. OTC: Atorvastatin is the most prescribed drug, while acetaminophen is the most common over-the-counter (OTC) drug ingredient.
Atorvastatin's Role: As a statin, atorvastatin is primarily used to treat high cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular events, making it the most prescribed medication by volume.
Acetaminophen's Ubiquity: Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in over 600 different medicines, making it the most common drug ingredient in America for pain and fever.
Top Drug Classes: The most-used drug classes reflect major health issues and include metabolic agents (for cholesterol/diabetes), cardiovascular agents (for blood pressure), and analgesics (for pain).
Reflection of National Health: The popularity of these specific drugs highlights the prevalence of chronic conditions like heart disease and hypertension in the U.S. population.
Generic Availability: The availability of generic versions for top prescribed drugs like atorvastatin contributes to their widespread use due to increased affordability.

Distinguishing 'Most Commonly Used': Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter

When identifying the most utilized drug in the United States, it is crucial to differentiate between prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The landscape of drug use is dominated by two distinct leaders: atorvastatin for prescriptions and acetaminophen for OTC products. Acetaminophen is the most common drug ingredient in the country overall, present in more than 600 different medications. However, based on the number of individual prescriptions, atorvastatin holds the top rank.

The Prescription Champion: Atorvastatin

Atorvastatin, the generic form of Lipitor, is consistently ranked as the most prescribed medication in the U.S.. In 2025 year-to-date data, it accounted for 2.74% of all drug claims. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called statins, or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Its primary function is to lower high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.

Why is Atorvastatin So Common?

The widespread use of atorvastatin is directly linked to the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. By blocking an enzyme that the body uses to produce cholesterol, it helps reduce levels of 'bad' cholesterol (LDL) and can prevent heart attacks and strokes. The rise of generic atorvastatin has also made it a more affordable and accessible option for millions of Americans, contributing to its high prescription volume. Its consistent top ranking reflects a major public health challenge: managing the nation's cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.

The Over-the-Counter Leader: Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is recognized as the most common drug ingredient in America. It is the active ingredient in Tylenol and is found in hundreds of other OTC and prescription products for pain relief, fever reduction, and cold and flu symptoms. An estimated 20% of the U.S. adult population uses a medication containing acetaminophen in any given week.

Its ubiquity makes it the most widely used drug, even if it isn't prescribed as frequently as atorvastatin. It is a staple in home medicine cabinets for treating minor aches, pains, and fevers. However, its prevalence also brings risks. The FDA has highlighted the importance of reading labels to avoid unintentional overdose, as many different products contain acetaminophen. It is important to adhere to recommended guidelines for daily limits.

Comparison of Top Medications

To better understand the landscape, it's helpful to compare the top prescription and OTC drugs. Atorvastatin and Lisinopril are frequently among the top five most prescribed drugs, while acetaminophen is the most common OTC active ingredient.


Feature	Atorvastatin	Lisinopril	Acetaminophen
Drug Class	Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor)	ACE Inhibitor	Analgesic & Antipyretic
Primary Use	High cholesterol, prevention of cardiovascular disease	High blood pressure, heart failure	Pain relief, fever reduction
Prescription Status	Prescription only	Prescription only	Over-the-counter (also in Rx combinations)
Common Brand Names	Lipitor	Prinivil, Zestril	Tylenol, Panadol
Annual Prescriptions (U.S.)	~110 million (2022)	~82.5 million (2022)	~5.5 million (as standalone Rx, 2022)

Broader Drug Trends and Public Health

The medications that top the charts offer a snapshot of the nation's health. The top therapeutic classes of drugs by expense and use include metabolic agents (like those for diabetes and cholesterol), cardiovascular agents, and central nervous system agents. The dominance of drugs like atorvastatin and lisinopril points to a high burden of chronic diseases such as high cholesterol and hypertension. Similarly, the widespread use of acetaminophen highlights the common need for managing everyday pain and fever across the population.

Conclusion

While atorvastatin is the single most prescribed drug in the United States, a title it has held consistently, acetaminophen is the most common and widely consumed drug ingredient overall, found in countless over-the-counter remedies. The prevalence of these two drugs underscores the primary health concerns facing the nation: the management of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and the everyday treatment of pain and fever.

For more information on medication use, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Therapeutic Drug Use page.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Atorvastatin (brand name Lipitor) is the most prescribed drug in the United States based on the percentage of claims in 2025 year-to-date data.

Atorvastatin is a statin medication used to treat high cholesterol and abnormal lipid levels. It works by blocking an enzyme that helps make cholesterol, thereby helping to prevent cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes.

Tylenol is a brand name for acetaminophen, which is the most common drug ingredient in the United States. It is found in over 600 different over-the-counter and prescription medicines for pain and fever.

As of early 2025, the top three most prescribed drugs by percentage of claims are Atorvastatin, Amlodipine (for high blood pressure), and Levothyroxine (for hypothyroidism).

A generic drug is a medication created to be the same as an already marketed brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, and quality. For example, atorvastatin is the generic version of the brand-name drug Lipitor.

The high rate of cholesterol medication use, such as atorvastatin, is driven by the prevalence of high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which remains a leading health issue in the United States.

Not necessarily. Many of the most-prescribed drugs, like atorvastatin and lisinopril, are widely available as low-cost generics. The most expensive drugs by total expenditure are often specialty biologic drugs like Humira or Keytruda, which are not prescribed as frequently but have a very high cost per patient.