It comes as no surprise. Americans take a lot of medications. There is a medication for depression, high cholesterol, menopause, bone loss, heart burn, hair loss, water retention and more. It seems as if there is a medication for everything, and medications are big business.
How big? According to the recent report that looks at sales from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013, Abilify racked up $6,391,050,009 with Nexium at $6,086,840,503 and Cymbalta at $5,432,152,672.
Abilify is used as an antidepressant, as well as to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Cymbalta is also an antidepressant. Nexium is used for heartburn.
As far as prescriptions go by volume, Crestor ranks number one in treating high cholesterol. Synthroid ranks number two for thyroid treatment, and Nexium is ranked number three for heart burn.
Continuing on for volume, Cymbalta ranks as number four (depression/ bipolar/ schizophrenia) and Ventolin as number five (asthma).
This means that by sales and volume, Americans are most commonly using something for depression/ bipolar/ schizophrenia, heartburn, cholesterol, low thyroid and asthma. Does this sum you up? Or your family?
Depression affects millions of Americans. Most focus on serotonin support while some do both serotonin/ norepinephrine. The popular Wellbutrin works primarily on dopamine.
The most common symptoms of depression are low mood, apathy, lack of joy, sadness, anxiety, irritability, not wanting to do things that cause happiness anymore, and change in appetite (overeating or not eating).
Many find themselves needing depression medication from a young age while others need it during certain situations such as job changes, relationship changes, grieving or during periods of high stress.
Many people are familiar with heartburn, that uncomfortable burning sensation that can happen in the stomach area, up the sternum into the throat. Typically it occurs after a heavy meal or after eating common trigger foods such as tomatoes, fatty foods, spicy foods, fried foods, carbonation and alcohol .
Common hypothyroid symptoms include cold hands and feet, hair loss or thinning, constipation, weight gain, and fatigue. Some people may have an enlarged thyroid which is located in the base of their neck.
Asthma can occur during times of illness or cold weather or at allergy season. An asthma attack can also be induced by exercise. The common but unpleasant experience involves shortness of breath, the inability to take a deep breath, and wheezing.
Some people with asthma require their inhaler daily while others only have to use it in certain situations.
Some of these conditions may be controlled without medication. Talk with your health care provider about your options and really take stock of the number of prescription medications you and your family are on.
Sources:
Lowes, R. Top 100 Selling Drugs Through September Reported. Web. 2 November, 2013.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/813571
Depression. University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Web. 2 November, 2013.
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/depression
Hypothyroidism. University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Web. 2 November, 2013.
http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/hypothyroidism
Heartburn. University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Web. 2 November, 2013.
http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/heartburn
Reviewed November 4, 2013
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith