The most prescribed drugs in Medicare are mostly inexpensive generics for chronic conditions: statins for cholesterol, blood pressure medicines, thyroid hormone and diabetes drugs. The table lists the top 25 by number of Medicare Part D prescriptions (including refills), with what Medicare and patients paid in total and how many clinicians prescribed each. Select a drug for its county map, who prescribes it, its FDA label summary, recalls and what the pills look like.
Most prescribed drugs in Medicare: volume is not cost
The most-filled drugs are cheap per prescription. The biggest costs come from newer brand-name drugs, such as GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight (Ozempic, Mounjaro), blood thinners (Eliquis, Xarelto) and inhalers, that are filled less often but cost hundreds of dollars a month. See GLP-1 prescriptions by state and the fastest-growing Medicare drugs.
Who writes these prescriptions
Primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants write most prescriptions for common chronic-disease drugs. Each drug page breaks prescriptions down by specialty, and lets you list the clinicians who prescribe it in any state, county, city or ZIP code.
Explore the most prescribed drugs in Medicare
- All Medicare drugs with search and a prescribing map.
- Prescribing maps by drug group (GLP-1s, opioids, ADHD stimulants and more).
- How to identify a pill by its imprint.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most prescribed drug in Medicare?
Atorvastatin (Lipitor), a statin that lowers cholesterol, is the most-filled drug in Medicare Part D, ahead of other cholesterol, blood pressure and thyroid medicines. See the table above for current figures.
Does this include drugs given in the hospital?
No. Medicare Part D covers prescriptions filled at pharmacies. Drugs given in hospitals or doctors’ offices, such as infusions, are paid under Medicare Part A or Part B and are not included.
Why are the most common drugs so cheap?
Most of the top drugs have been generic for years, so many companies make them and prices are low. Expensive brand-name drugs are filled less often but cost much more in total.
How can I see who prescribes a drug near me?
Open the drug’s page and choose “All prescribers”. You can filter by state, county, city, ZIP code, clinician name, specialty, hospital or medical group.
Sources
CMS Medicare Part D Prescribers (opens in a new tab) (2024). Medicare Part D covers people with Medicare drug plans, mostly adults 65 and older; it doesn’t include drugs given in hospitals or paid by other insurance. Cost is the total paid by Medicare plans and patients before manufacturer rebates. This is general information, not medical advice.