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Commonly Prescribed Psychotropic Medications

Most Popular Psychotropic Drugs Used in Prescription

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Common Psychiatric Medications Most Frequently Dispensed
Common Psychiatric Medications Most Frequently Dispensed

Commonly Prescribed Psychotropic Medications

In 2020, over 252 million prescriptions were made for psychiatric medications for various mental health conditions, with a total cost of over $15.6 trillion. Here's a breakdown of some of the most commonly prescribed medications.

Antidepressants

  1. Sertraline (Zoloft), the most prescribed psychiatric medication in the United States, had approximately 38 million prescriptions in 2020. This medication is used to treat depression, panic disorder, and OCD.
  2. Escitalopram (Lexapro) followed closely, with over 36 million prescriptions, primarily for depression.
  3. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) was the third most prescribed, with approximately 28 million prescriptions, mainly for depression and smoking cessation.
  4. Fluoxetine (Prozac) had 23.4 million prescriptions for panic disorder and depression.
  5. Citalopram (Celexa) had 18.55 million prescriptions, primarily for depression.
  6. Paroxetine (Paxil) had 9.03 million prescriptions, used to treat depression, OCD, and panic disorder.
  7. Mirtazapine (Remeron) had 6.6 million prescriptions for depression.

Anxiolytics

  1. Alprazolam (Xanax) had 16.78 million prescriptions for anxiety and panic disorder.
  2. Lorazepam (Ativan) had 10.56 million prescriptions for anxiety.
  3. Clonazepam (Klonopin) had 14.76 million prescriptions for panic disorder.
  4. Diazepam (Valium) had 4.97 million prescriptions for anxiety and alcohol withdrawal.

Mood Stabilizers

  1. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) had 10.8 million prescriptions for bipolar disorder.
  2. Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) had 4.28 million prescriptions for bipolar disorder.

Antipsychotics

  1. Aripiprazole (Abilify) had 8.27 million prescriptions for depression and bipolar disorder, and is another expensive psychiatric medication, costing $2.23 billion.
  2. Quetiapine (Seroquel) had 10.6 million prescriptions for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
  3. Aripiprazole (Abilify) is also used to treat depression and costs $1.38 billion.

Stimulants

  1. Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) was the fourth most prescribed psychiatric medication, with 26.24 million prescriptions for ADHD.
  2. Methylphenidate (Concerta) had 15.45 million prescriptions for ADHD.
  3. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) had 8.64 million prescriptions for ADHD and binge eating disorder.
  4. Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) had 4.8 million prescriptions for ADHD.

Other

  1. Trazodone had 26.21 million prescriptions in 2020.
  2. Clonidine (Kapvay) had 9.87 million prescriptions for ADHD and to reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety.

A combined approach that includes psychotherapy may lead to more positive outcomes for most mental health conditions. It's important to note that while these medications can help manage symptoms, they should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Always consult with a healthcare professional for advice tailored to your specific needs.

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