Number of prescriptions increase yet again in U.S.

Courtesy of Time Magazine

The contents of America's medicine cabinets — as captured by IMS Health's new report on U.S. prescription drug use — offer an interesting snapshot of our national health. A look at the top 10 most popularly prescribed drugs, for instance, reflects an aching, aging, overweight citizenry. The report also finds a shift that resulted in a smaller increase in drug spending in 2010 (2.3%), compared with 2009 (5.1%).

The rate of doctor visits also fell: the number of visits to American doctor's offices dropped 4.2% in 2010, and the number of patients starting new drug treatments for chronic conditions declined by 3.4 million.

Following are the top 10 most popularly prescribed drugs in the U.S., according to the report "The Use of Medicines in the United States: Review of 2010" by IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.

10. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
9. Metformin HCL (Glucophage)
8. Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
7. Azithromycin (Zithromax)
6. Omeprazole (Prilosec)
5. Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc)
4. Levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid)
3. Lisinopril (Prinivil)
2. Simvastatin (Zocor)
1. Hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Vicodin)