What Are The Most Prescribed Drugs In The UK?
The leading painkiller prescribed in the UK is higher-dose codeine (Co-codamol) with about 15 Million prescriptions given in 2017. [1]
The leading psychopharmaceutical drugs prescribed are Citalopram Hydrobromide (14+ Million in 2017) and Amitriptyline Hydrochloride (13+ Million in 2017). [1].
Both Citalopram and Amitriptyline are used to treat depression.
Citalopram is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI), while Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant.
Both Citalopram and Amitriptyline are used to treat depression.
Meanwhile, Atorvastatin, a drug for high cholesterol tops the list of most prescribed medicine with 37+ Million prescriptions.
Because Aspirin and Paracetamol are available over-the-counter, the figures for these drugs are excluded from this list.
Morphine and morphine-like painkillers are called opioid painkillers.
These painkillers are most often prescribed for the following conditions [2]:
- Orthopedic pain – conditions involving hips, knees, feet, ankles, shoulders, hand and spine
- Dental conditions
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Cancer pain
Opioid painkillers have a high potential for abuse and dependence [3].
The most commonly abused opioid painkillers are [4]:
- Tramadol
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
The number National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2012). Prescription Drug Abuse: Young People at Risk. Available at: https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/prescription-drug-abuse-young-people-risk
