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Key takeaways
Ibuprofen was the most commonly filled prescription in several large U.S. cities in 2022, indicating widespread use for pain and fever relief.
Albuterol HFA was popular in Wichita, Kansas, due to high asthma rates, particularly in urban areas.
Amoxicillin saw widespread prescription across multiple cities, highlighting its role in treating bacterial infections amidst concerns of antibiotic overuse and shortages.
Vitamin D prescriptions were common in many cities, reflecting concerns about deficiency and possibly lingering beliefs in its benefits against COVID-19.
Sometimes, your head aches or you feel a twinge in your knee, but you don’t have time to do much about it. You figure that all you really need to feel better again and keep moving is to take some ibuprofen.
If you found yourself reaching for this popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to treat minor aches, pains, and fevers this past year, you weren’t alone. Residents of some of the biggest cities in the United States were right there with you. Ibuprofen was the most commonly filled prescription by SingleCare users this year in cities like Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami.
Read on to learn more about most popular prescription drugs by city in the 50 largest cities in the country in 2022.
Skip to city-by-city breakdown
Albuterol HFA
Most commonly filled prescription in Wichita, Kansas
If you or a family member have asthma, you’re undoubtedly familiar with albuterol. Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator that relaxes the smooth muscles in your airways to ward off an asthma attack. You may also know albuterol HFA by one of its brand names, such as ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, or ProAir RespiClick.
Albuterol HFA was the most commonly filled prescription in Wichita, Kansas, over the past year. According to the recent report The Burden of Asthma in Kansas, asthma affects about 1 in 8 adult Kansans over the course of their lifetime, and the prevalence of asthma is higher among people who live in urban areas such as Wichita.
Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
Most commonly filled prescription in Arlington, Texas; Austin, Texas; Mesa, Arizona; Milwaukee; Oakland, California; Oklahoma City; San Jose, California; and Tulsa, Oklahoma
Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that’s commonly used to treat bacterial infections, frequently in children. Consider places with a lot of young people. For example, the city of Tulsa is growing, with a relatively low cost of living that could be attracting families with children.
In fact, this antibiotic was tops in a number of U.S. cities this year, but the number could have been even higher. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a shortage of amoxicillin.
Experts continue to warn about the dangers of unnecessary antibiotic use, too. “Patients should be aware that antibiotics should only be used when needed,” says Amanda Beaudoin, Ph.D., an epidemiologist and the director of the Minnesota One Health Antibiotic Stewardship Collaborative. “They can do more harm than good if they are used when unnecessary.”
Beaudoin reminds people that antibiotics should not be used to treat viral infections (such as the common cold, flu, or COVID-19). When antibiotics are misused, they can lead to the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, which can evade treatment and reduce treatment options. For this reason, many experts encourage people not to ask for antibiotics when their healthcare provider says they are not warranted.
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Most commonly filled prescription in Indianapolis, Indiana
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that’s used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), as well as chest pain (angina) and coronary artery disease. It’s considered a good first-line treatment among many possible options in the treatment of hypertension, and since it has a longer half-life than many others, people who take this drug only need to take it once a day.
Medications like this might be in demand in places like Indianapolis because the state of Indiana has a high prevalence of obesity, which is a risk factor for hypertension, according to a 2021 report from the United Health Foundation. The report also noted that Indiana has a high prevalence of cigarette smoking when compared to other states, and smoking also contributes to high blood pressure.
Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
Most commonly filled prescription in Atlanta; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Denver; Nashville, Tennessee; Portland, Oregon; Raleigh, North Carolina; San Diego; Seattle; and Virginia Beach, Virginia
Often sold under the brand name Adderall, this medication is a commonly used treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “Adderall is more accessible, due to its availability as a generic, meaning lower costs for the patient,” says Erika Gray, Pharm.D., chief medical officer and co-founder of Toolbox Genomics, a DNA and epigenetic testing company. “It also works very quickly in patients, so patients feel the benefits in focus soon after taking the medication.”
The popularity of this medication in some of these cities could be linked to relatively higher rates of ADHD in those locations. For example, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia tend to be among the states with higher rates of ADHD diagnosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The FDA recently declared a shortage of some immediate-release formulations of Adderall. The supply can’t keep up with demand, so it remains to be seen how the shortage will affect the popularity of the drug in these cities (and others) in the near future.
Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine coupons
RELATED: Adderall alternatives
Ibuprofen (Motrin)
Most commonly filled prescription in Bakersfield, California; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas; Houston; Las Vegas; Long Beach, California; Los Angeles; Miami; and Sacramento, California
If your medicine cabinet contains at least one bottle of ibuprofen, you’re in good company. Research suggests that it’s one of the most widely used drugs in the world, not just these cities.
People often take prescription-strength ibuprofen to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis, such as pain, tenderness, and swelling in the joints, as well as the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. But many people rely on over-the-counter ibuprofen as a fever reducer or to reduce minor aches and pains. The states of Oregon, North Carolina, and Colorado tend to have higher rates of women with arthritis, who may be relying on ibuprofen to reduce their pain and help them stay mobile.
“Because of the opiate crisis, many practitioners are encouraging patients to use non-opioid pain relievers such as ibuprofen or Tylenol,” Dr. Gray says. “While ibuprofen does not damage the liver the same way as Tylenol can (at high enough doses), people do want to use caution with ibuprofen if they have any kidney issues, GI ulcers, or bleeds.”
Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
Most commonly filled prescription in Omaha, Nebraska; and Tucson, Arizona
Levothyroxine sodium is used to treat hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid. Levothyroxine is actually a hormone that you take to replace or supplement the hormone that your body’s thyroid gland should be naturally producing.
It’s one of the world’s most widely prescribed medications. About 5 out of 100 people over the age of 12 in the United States have hypothyroidism and need treatment, and it’s more common in people over age 60, and more common in women than men. People diagnosed with thyroid cancer may also take this hormone in addition to undergoing surgery and radioactive iodine therapy. It’s typically prescribed in tablet form, but it’s also available as liquid and capsules.
This medication could be popular in a city like Tucson because Arizona is an increasingly popular destination for snowbirds, notes Dr. Gray. Snowbirds tend to be older people escaping the cold–and older adults are statistically more likely to be affected by hypothyroidism.
Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
Most commonly filled prescription in Phoenix
Lisinopril is commonly used to address high blood pressure or heart failure. It belongs to a category of drugs known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and it helps relax blood vessels to enable blood to flow more easily and the heart to pump blood more efficiently.
Lisinopril’s popularity in Phoenix might be expected. “Phoenix is a popular destination for snowbirds, older patients who migrate with warmth,” Dr. Gray says. “Older patients typically have higher blood pressure and require more medications. About 64% of men aged 65 to 74 have high blood pressure.”
Magnesium oxide
Most commonly filled prescription in Boston
In Boston, magnesium oxide takes the top spot. Your body needs the element magnesium to survive, so Bostonians could be using it as a dietary supplement. But it’s also likely that they’re relying on magnesium oxide as an antacid to thwart heartburn or indigestion or as a short-term laxative. Massachusetts has an aging population in general and heartburn tends to become more common–and get worse–with age.
Magnesium oxide comes in tablet and capsule form, and it’s available under the brand names Mag-Ox 400, Uro-Mag, and Mag-Caps.
RELATED: Which magnesium supplement is right for me?
Sildenafil citrate (Viagra)
Most commonly filled prescription in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Minneapolis
You probably know this medicine better by its brand name: Viagra. It belongs to a class of medications known as phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction in men, but doctors also prescribe it to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension in both men and women. When used for pulmonary conditions, it’s called Revatio, but contains the same active ingredient as Viagra. Side effects may include headache, nausea, flushing, and indigestion.
In recent years, Albuquerque’s population has tended to skew a little older, and the older adult population in Minneapolis is growing, too. Given that nearly 70% of men are affected by erectile dysfunction by age 70, according to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s perhaps not too surprising to find out that this ED medication is popular in these cities.
RELATED: Should you expect ED at a certain age?
Vitamin D
Most commonly filled prescription in Baltimore; Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; El Paso, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Fresno, California; Jacksonville, Florida; Kansas City, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; New York; Philadelphia; San Antonio, Texas; San Francisco; and Washington D.C.
Why is vitamin D so popular in so many cities? According to Dr. Gray, a number of people may be concerned about vitamin D deficiency. Some estimates suggest that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency could be as high as 42%.
The popularity could be some lingering concern about COVID-19. Earlier in the pandemic, some suggested that vitamin D could help people fight off infection or complications from COVID-19. Since then, the NIH’s COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel has come out and stated, “There is insufficient evidence for the Panel to recommend either for or against the use of vitamin D for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.” However, this lingering misconception could be driving the popularity of this supplement in major cities where infection rates are often higher.
If you’re considering taking vitamin D supplements, consider the dosage amount. “When taking vitamin D3, 1000-2000 units once a day can help with preventing vitamin D deficiency,” says Dr. Gray. “When taking higher doses, it is important to be taken under the supervision of a doctor where your lab values can be monitored.” Many healthcare providers will prescribe a higher dose once weekly, for example, 50,000 IU (prescription-strength) once a week—rather than a smaller daily dose of OTC vitamin D.
RELATED: When would I need a prescription for vitamin D?
City-by-city breakdown of the most prescribed drugs
- Albuquerque, New Mexico: Sildenafil citrate
- Arlington, Texas: Amoxicillin
- Atlanta: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- Austin, Texas: Amoxicillin
- Baltimore: Vitamin D
- Boston: Magnesium oxide
- Charlotte, North Carolina: Ibuprofen
- Chicago: Vitamin D
- Colorado Springs, Colorado: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- Columbus, Ohio: Vitamin D
- Dallas: Ibuprofen
- Denver: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- Detroit: Vitamin D
- El Paso, Texas: Vitamin D
- Fort Worth, Texas: Vitamin D
- Fresno, California: Vitamin D
- Houston: Ibuprofen
- Indianapolis: Amlodipine
- Jacksonville, Florida: Vitamin D
- Kansas City, Missouri: Vitamin D
- Las Vegas: Ibuprofen
- Long Beach, California: Ibuprofen
- Los Angeles: Ibuprofen
- Louisville, Kentucky: Vitamin D
- Memphis, Tennessee: Vitamin D
- Mesa, Arizona: Amoxicillin
- Miami: Ibuprofen
- Milwaukee: Amoxicillin
- Minneapolis: Sildenafil citrate
- Nashville, Tennessee: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- New York: Vitamin D
- Oakland, California: Amoxicillin
- Oklahoma City: Amoxicillin
- Omaha, Nebraska: Levothyroxine
- Philadelphia: Vitamin D
- Phoenix: Lisinopril
- Portland, Oregon: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- Raleigh, North Carolina: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- Sacramento, California: Ibuprofen
- San Antonio: Vitamin D
- San Diego: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- San Francisco: Vitamin D
- San Jose, California: Amoxicillin
- Seattle: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- Tampa, Florida: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- Tucson, Arizona: Levothyroxine
- Tulsa, Oklahoma: Amoxicillin
- Virginia Beach, Virginia: Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- Washington, D.C.: Vitamin D
- Wichita, Kansas: Albuterol
Popular prescription drug information reflects the scripts most filled through SingleCare by location from Jan. 1, 2022 through Oct. 31, 2022, excluding opioids and weight-loss drugs.
Prescription drug use by city year over year
The top drugs by location remain fairly consistent year over year. In 2021, there were eight medications that were most-filled in the 50 biggest cities, all of which were most-filled in the 50 biggest cities this year, too:
- Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
- Amoxicillin
- Ibuprofen
- Levothyroxine
- Lisinopril
- Magnesium oxide
- Sildenafil
- Vitamin D
The only new additions in 2022 were albuterol and amlodipine—which could be a change driven by the fact that Wichita, Kansas, joined the list of largest metropolises, thanks to new census data. In 2020 there were many similarities in the prescriptions that took the top spots for major cities as well. The main differences were that cetirizine, the popular allergy medication, was most prescribed in San Antonio while sildenafil and magnesium oxide didn’t win any popularity contests. Stay tuned next year to find out what 2023 will bring!