Therapeutic Drug Use
Data are for the U.S.
Prescription drug use
- Percent of persons using at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days: 48.9% (2011-2014)
- Percent of persons using three or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days: 23.1% (2011-2014)
- Percent of persons using five or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days: 11.9% (2011-2014)
Source: Health, United States, 2017, table 79 pdf icon[PDF – 9.8 MB]
Physician office visits
- Number of drugs ordered or provided: 2.9 billion
- Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 73.9%
- Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes:
- Analgesics
- Antihyperlipidemic agents
- Dermatological agents
Hospital emergency department visits
- Number of drugs given or prescribed: 359.0 million
- Percent of visits involving drug therapy: 80.4%
- Most frequently prescribed therapeutic classes
- Analgesics
- Antiemetic or antivertigo agents
- Minerals and electrolytes
More Data
- Trends in Prescription drugs from Health, United States
- Strategies Used by Adults to Reduce Their Prescription Drug Costs: United States, 2013
- Use of Medication Prescribed for Emotional or Behavioral Difficulties Among Children Aged 6–17 Years in the United States, 2011–2012
- Prescription Cholesterol-lowering Medication Use in Adults Aged 40 and Over: United States, 2003–2012
- Prescription Opioid Analgesic Use Among Adults: United States, 1999–2012
- Antidepressant Use in Persons Aged 12 and Over: United States, 2011-2014
- Prescription Sleep Aid Use Among Adults: United States, 2005–2010
- Psychotropic Medication Use Among Adolescents: United States, 2005–2010
Page last reviewed: January 19, 2017
Content source: CDC/National Center for Health Statistics