The Top 25 Selling Drugs
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The top 25 best selling prescription drugs.
The basis of this article is derived from gathered research, and should not be taken as sound medical advice. You should always consult a physician or pharmacist before taking any medications or advice.
The following is found by our research to be the top 25 selling drugs on the market. Every effort is taken to insure its accuracy but you should always verify information with qualified professionals. You can also put the name of any drug listed below in a search engine like Google or Yahoo and get links to various other sources of information.
Augmentin
Generic name amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. This is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotic, especially in the U.S. Many of the bacteria it used to be used against has become resistant to amoxicillin and have added clavulanic acid to create augmentin.
This is often prescribed for fighting infections in body parts like the ears, throat, urinary tract and others. The most common side effect are nausea, diarrhea and upset digestive tract. This drug may also give false positive on urine test like for diabetics.
More serious side effects include anemia, elevation of liver enzymes, blood disorders and even psychological problems. Most of these side effects are less common but any reactions should be reported to your health care provider.
Any one who is allergic to penicillin should avoid this type of drug or make sure that whoever prescribed it is aware of your allergy. If you experience problems with your breathing, hives or rashes you should immediately seek treatment.
Bactrim
Generic name is co-trimoxazole and used to treat things like inner ear infection, urinary tract infections, chronic bronchitis and more. This product is a combination of sulfamethozazole and trimethoprim. Make sure to check with your pharmacist and doctor before taking this drug with other medications.
The more common side effects are nausea diarrhea, vomiting, hives, dizziness, depression, stomachaches, peeling skin, headache, insomnia weakness and dizziness. Any rash should be reported to a doctor immediately when using this drug. Also report any sore throat, chills, fever, unusual bleeding/bruising or yellowing of skin or eyes.
Cipro
Generic name is ciproflaxacin and is a powerful antibiotic in the quinolones family. This drug is used to help cure infections of the lungs, skin, bones, joints and urinary tract. It is especially useful again "bugs" that invade the body like travelers' diarrhea. It is also popular due to its lower occurrence of side effects.
Use of caffeinated drinks should be avoided while taking this medications as liver functions are affected while on it. Also note that any use of antacid should be done no less than two hours after taking cipro.
Any kind of rashes, sores, odd sensations in the chest, breathing difficulty or other symptoms are very rare but should be reported immediately. Pregnant women and children should not take this drug and there is a possibility of allergic reactions in some users.
Claritin
Generic name is loratadine and is a new generation of allergy medication of the type histamine H1 receptor antagonists. The are non-sedating and does not usually impair driving or operating machinery. This is used to treat allergy symptoms like sneezing and hives.
People have reported headaches, sleep disorders, dry mouth as well as indigestion and appetite loss. Reports of these side effects are uncommon however and this helps to make this drugs popularity. If you have liver problems you will probably receive a smaller dosage. Some animal testing shows a possibility of increased tumor growth.
Co-Gesic
Generic name is hydrocodone with acetaminophen and is similar to codeine. It offers great relief for moderate pain when used with acetaminophen. It can have effects that prevent you from driving including weakness and euphoria. Loss of appetite, sweating and constipation have been reported.
Less common side effects include rash, dry mouth, urinary problems and disorientation. Any issue should be discussed with your doctor right away. Also consider this drug to act like any narcotic with impaired judgment, dizziness and risk of addiction.
Glucophage
Generic name is metformin. This is used for treatment of diabetes and is fairly new. It is mostly used with the "adult onset" diabetes or NIDDM. It is used to reduce the liver's output of sugar and improve the body's response to insulin. Most common side effects are digestive like
Avoid becoming dehydrated and discuss possible issues with kidney problems. Also note that lactic acids can build up to dangerous levels, immediately report feeling ill with muscle aches, stomach pains, abnormal drowsiness or breathing problems. Kidney monitoring should be done periodically while using glucophage.
Lanoxin
Generic name is digoxin and is one of the top selling medications in the U.S. Used as a medicine for heart problems it is a digitalis medicine derived from the leaves of a plant like foxglove. Specifically lanoxin is used for arrhythmias, irregular heart rhythms and congestive heart failure.
If you experience any of the following you should contact your physician without delay; loss of appetite, diarrhea, stomach pain nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, disturbed color vision, fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches or drowsiness. Also report hallucinations, confusion, personality changes and other similar issues.
Lipitor
Generic name is atorvastatin and popular for treating high cholesterol. It is used to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. This is often used when weight control and diet are not enough to manage cholesterol levels. Lipitor is also popular because it has very few side effects.
There is risk of myopathy and any muscle aches, weakness or tenderness should be reported quickly. If you do not treat myopathy or rhabdomyolysis in time you could experience serious kidney failure.
Norvasc
Generic name is amlodipine and is in the calcium channel blocker class. Used to treat high blood pressure and angina. This drug is well tolerated but some people have reported swelling due to fluid retention.
Dizziness, heart palpitations, drowsiness, flushing may occur and more so with women. There is the possibility of headaches, fatigue, rash, indigestions, nausea, muscle discomfort and sexual problems. As with any medications discuss any issues with your doctor quickly.
Paxil
Generic name is paroxetine and is used to treat major depression and is less likely to show side effects of older medications. It works by enhancing the brain chemical, serotonin. Paxil is a commonly prescribed drug but does not work for everyone. You should discuss any symptoms you experience with your physician.
These are some of the reported reactions; sweating, nausea, exhaustion, dry mouth, drowsiness, decreased appetite, dizziness, tremor insomnia, anxiety and problems ejaculating. Also note less common reports of headaches, blurred vision, increased libido, palpitations and headaches.
Paxil is not a good fit for every one and dosage reductions can be a serious issue as well as reports of increased risk of suicide. You should have quick access to your doctor and frequent monitoring while using these types of drugs.
Polymox
Generic name is amoxicillin and is used much like penicillin. Used a lot due to is success against a large variety of bacteria. If you have any allergy to penicillin type drugs you should make sure your doctor and pharmacist know before using this medicine.
Most common side effects of this drug are digestive tract related. Report any nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, psychological reactions or blood disorders. If you experience any breathing difficulty, hives, rash you need to consult emergency services immediately as you are at risk of anaphylactic shock.
Premarin
Generic name is conjugated estrogens and is a natural estrogen. This a very common prescribed medicine make of pregnant mares' urine. This estrogen has a wide use including menopause symptoms, hot flashes, osteoporosis preventing and reduced heart disease.
Possible side effects include abnormal menstrual bleeding, nausea, vomiting, beast tenderness, bloating, stomach pain, liver tumors, gallbladder problems, headaches, depression, jaundice, high blood pressure and increased risk of diabetes. Also note fluid retention, change in sex drive, hair loss and curving of the cornea.
Notify your doctor or emergency services immediately of groin or calf pain, sharp chest pains, sudden breathing issues, severe headache, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, numbness in extremities, weakness yellow skin/eyes or severe abdominal pains.
Prempro
Generic name conjugated estrogens / medroxyprogesterone. It is sold under the brand name Premarin listed above.
Prevacid
Generic name lansoprazole is similar to Prilosec. This type of medicine blocks acid secretion in the final step. It is used for short-term treatment of ulcers and acid irritation of the esophagus. This drug when used short term has very few reported side effects.
The most common reported reactions were stomachaches and nausea. Even fewer reports were noted of chest pains, rashes, muscle weakness, constipations, gallstones, elevated liver enzymes and blood sugar changes. Any symptoms should be reported promptly.
Prilosec
Generic name is omeprazole and is in the same class as prevacid above. It is used for short term treatement of ulcers and issues with stomach acids. See the above Prevacid for more information.
Prozac
Generic name is fluoxetine and is the first in a new generation of antidepressants. This is one of the most well recognized names for antidepressants in the U.S. While it is most commonly used for depression it has also be used for obsessive compulsive disorders and eating disorders.
These are some of the reported reactions; sweating, nausea, exhaustion, dry mouth, drowsiness, decreased appetite, dizziness, tremor insomnia, anxiety and problems ejaculating. Also note less common reports of headaches, blurred vision, increased libido, palpitations and headaches.
Prozac is not right for every one and dosage reductions can be a serious issue as well as reports of increased risk of suicide. You should have quick access to your doctor and frequent monitoring while using these types of drugs.
Synthroid
Generic name is levothyroxine and is a thyroid hormone. It comes in a wide variety of dosages and is long acting. It is very popular because there are very rare occasions of side effects when the dosages are managed correctly.
Over dosage may be indicated by heart palpitations, insomnia, jitters, high blood pressure, rapid pulse, increased sweating, changes in menstrual flow and appetite. Also possible is tremor, diarrhea, weight loss, heart disease and headaches. Report any symptoms promptly.
Vasotec
Generic name enalapril. It was discovered in an extract from the venom of the Jararaca snake. It is in the ACE inhibitor class and is used to teat things like hypertension and congestive heart failure. There are a number of side effect to be on the watch for including sweating, dry cough, itching, rash, irregular heart rhythm, chest pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, insomnia, muscle cramps, fatigue, nervousness, headaches and dizziness.
Use of Vasotec should require close monitoring of the kidneys. You should be careful when you start to use this medication as you may experience dizziness or other disorienting reactions. Sometimes your first doses of Vasotec may have serious side effects and you should be prepared even though they are rare.
Ventolin_aerosol
Generic name is albuterol and is used in asthma treatment. The aerosol medicine is less likely to cause side effects than the same medicine in pill form. Very little of the medicine is actually absorbed by the body so there are few side effects.
In some cases there have been reports of heart palpitations, tremor, nervousness, dizziness, heartburn and high blood pressure. Even more rare are breathing reactions, rash or other allergic reactions.
Vicodin
Generic name is hydrocodone with acetaminophen. This is a drug that is similar to codeine and is a semi synthetic analgesic. It is useful for reducing moderate pain. For more details see Co-Gesic above.
Zithromax
Generic name azithromycin. This is an antibiotic used in treating Chlamydia, skin infections and respiratory tract infections. There are few side effects to Zithromax although diarrhea, stomach pain and nausea have been reported.
Certain symptoms can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction and require you contact emergency services immediately. These include trouble breathing, swelling of the face or neck or other odd reactions.
Zocor
Generic name is simvastatin and is used to lower cholesterol. When exercise and proper diet are not enough Zocor can help to reduce risk of heart disease further. Most people can take this medicine with very few side effects.
Report promptly the following; stomach ache, headache, abnormal fatigue, skin rash, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, insomnia, tingling in the extremities and risk of kidney failure.
Zoloft
Generic name is sertraline and is much the same as prozac and paxil. Zoloft may be slightly more stimulating but have less of the other more troublesome side effects. See Paxil and Prozac for more information.
