US Pharm. 2013;38(7):18.
Rochester, MN—According to the Mayo Clinic, almost 70% of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, and 20% are taking five or more drugs. Statistics from the Rochester Epidemiology Project in Olmsted County, which are comparable to those elsewhere in the United States, were analyzed. Antibiotics were the most commonly prescribed (17%), followed by antidepressants (13%), opioids (13%), antihypertensives (11%), and vaccines (11%). Women and older adults received more prescriptions, and women received more than men across several drug groups, especially antidepressants. Antibiotics and vaccines were more commonly prescribed in patients younger than 19 years, and antidepressants and opioids were more common among young and middle-aged adults. Cardiovascular drugs were most commonly prescribed to older adults.
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