In this ever-evolving healthcare environment, prescription data offers invaluable insights into the nation’s prevailing medical conditions and the efforts to manage them. The most prescribed drugs in the UK are not just pills; they are indicators of widespread health issues and the measures taken to address them.
This comprehensive analysis delves into the top 50 most prescribed drugs in the UK. Prescribing information highlights a nation’s fight against the non-communicable diseases that dominate the age, with a strong emphasis on chronic conditions that require ongoing management.
Top 50 most prescribed drugs in the UK
The table below shows the top 50 most prescribed drugs in the UK in the last 12 months. Source of prescribing information: OpenPrescribing.net
| Drug name | Prescriptions | Cost | Use | |
| 1 | Atorvastatin | 62,435,926 | £114,329,717 | High Cholesterol |
| 2 | Amlodipine | 36,453,227 | £34,652,344 | High blood pressure |
| 3 | Omeprazole | 35,514,611 | £156,996,976 | Acid suppressant |
| 4 | Lansoprazole | 33,941,308 | £45,103,164 | Acid suppressant |
| 5 | Levothyroxine | 33,804,500 | £50,758,749 | Hypothyroidism |
| 6 | Ramipril | 32,815,676 | £45,600,884 | High blood pressure |
| 7 | Bisoprolol | 28,261,920 | £27,597,154 | Cardiovascular |
| 8 | Sertraline | 22,721,047 | £35,880,305 | Depression |
| 9 | Metformin | 20,883,003 | £62,422,231 | Diabetes |
| 10 | Aspirin | 20,254,997 | £17,827,316 | Antiplatelet |
| 11 | Paracetamol | 16,030,729 | £76,608,834 | Pain |
| 12 | Amitriptyline | 15,575,353 | £21,898,940 | Antidepressant |
| 13 | Simvastatin | 14,494,463 | £15,026,598 | High Cholesterol |
| 14 | Citalopram | 13,679,084 | £21,429,590 | Depression |
| 15 | Beclometasone diprop | 13,115,174 | £296,202,511 | Steroid |
| 16 | Mirtazipine | 12,224,701 | £13,059,464 | Depression |
| 17 | Losartan | 11,599,025 | £18,103,237 | High blood pressure |
| 18 | Clopidogrel | 11,174,854 | £14,610,559 | Antiplatelet |
| 19 | Furosemide | 11,000,193 | £10,543,661 | Diuretics |
| 20 | Co-codamol | 10,761,698 | £48,799,079 | Pain |
| 21 | Folic acid | 9,215,779 | £9,681,663 | Anaemia |
| 22 | Salbutamol | 8,920,624 | £35,406,996 | Asthma |
| 23 | Pregabalin | 8,916,388 | £19,751,056 | Epilepsy / Pain |
| 24 | Tamsulosin | 8,728,799 | £14,485,762 | Urinary retention |
| 25 | Amoxicillin | 8,713,867 | £29,167,542 | Antibiotic |
| 26 | Apixaban | 8,362,985 | £362,137,665 | Oral anticoagulants |
| 27 | Lisinopril | 7,756,568 | £10,588,741 | High blood pressure |
| 28 | Candesartan | 7,706,279 | £17,091,794 | High blood pressure |
| 29 | Colecalciferol | 7,670,071 | £37,960,917 | Vitami D defficiency |
| 30 | Gabapentin | 7,398,902 | £42,970,427 | Pain |
| 31 | Naproxen | 7,398,333 | £20,540,004 | Pain |
| 32 | Propranolol | 7,254,174 | £21,496,300 | Cardiovascular / Anxiety |
| 33 | Doxazosin | 7,084,379 | £14,382,597 | High blood pressure |
| 34 | Macrogol 3350 | 6,910,560 | £50,779,065 | Constipation |
| 35 | Allopurinol | 6,758,631 | £9,200,601 | Gout |
| 36 | Prednisolone | 6,730,352 | £20,229,700 | Steroid |
| 37 | Bendroflumethiazide | 6,172,951 | £5,277,758 | Diuretics |
| 38 | Gliclazide | 5,924,856 | £16,177,201 | Diabetes |
| 39 | Venlafaxine | 5,648,717 | £40,196,067 | Depression |
| 40 | Indapamide | 5,523,014 | £10,722,435 | High blood pressure |
| 41 | Fexofenadine | 5,405,121 | £12,828,143 | Antihistamine |
| 42 | Fostair | 5,257,267 | £173,287,125 | Asthma |
| 43 | Codeine | 5,241,466 | £14,133,443 | Pain |
| 44 | Alendronic acid | 5,112,088 | £22,304,837 | Osteoporosis |
| 45 | Tramadol | 5,012,972 | £16,459,711 | Opioids |
| 46 | Dapagliflozin | 4,894,738 | £178,402,737 | Diabetes / Heart failure |
| 47 | Atenolol | 4,629,738 | £7,494,094 | Cardiovascular |
| 48 | Zopiclone | 4,522,054 | £4,738,212 | Sleeping problems |
| 49 | Rivaroxaban | 4,331,688 | £214,497,402 | Oral anticoagulants |
| 50 | Diazepam | 4,197,890 | £9,340,881 | Anxiolytics |
Top 10 most prescribed drugs in the UK – what are they used for?
Here’s a summary of the treatments addressed by the top 10 most prescribed drugs in the UK:
Atorvastatin – With over 62 million items prescribed, atorvastatin leads the list, primarily used for the treatment of high cholesterol, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is also the most costly on the list, indicating its significant use and possibly its price point or dosage requirements.
Amlodipine – This is a commonly prescribed medication for high blood pressure, with more than 36 million items dispensed. High blood pressure is a prevalent condition, and amlodipine is a first-line treatment option for certain groups of patients.
Omeprazole – This acid suppressant is used for treating conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is the third most prescribed with over 35 million items.
Lansoprazole – Similar to omeprazole, lansoprazole is also an acid suppressant, indicating a high prevalence of acid-related disorders in the population.
Levothyroxine – With around 33 million items prescribed, levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism, a common endocrine disorder where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone.
Ramipril – This is another medication for high blood pressure, suggesting that cardiovascular risk management is a significant concern in the UK.
Bisoprolol – Bisoprolol is prescribed for cardiovascular issues, specifically for heart rate control in conditions like atrial fibrillation or heart failure.
Sertraline – With over 22 million items prescribed, sertraline is an antidepressant, indicating mental health is a significant area of concern. It’s used for depression and sometimes for anxiety disorders.
Metformin – As a treatment for diabetes, metformin’s presence in the top 10 underscores the widespread prevalence of diabetes.
Aspirin – This antiplatelet agent is often used to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people who are at high risk, with more than 20 million items prescribed.
Most prescribed drugs in the UK – Can NHS save money?
Looking at the list of most prescribed drugs in the UK a few drugs which are available over the counter bring attention. Extensive prescribing of medicines which are available over the counter raises a question of overspending of public money. Six over the counter medicines which are on the list of most prescribed medicines in the UK can be purchased without a prescription. The cost of only those medicines rounds down to around £200 mln a year.
Over the counter medicines which are most prescribed in the UK:
| Drug name | Prescriptions | Cost | |
| 1 | Aspirin | 20,254,997 | £17,827,316 |
| 2 | Paracetamol | 16,030,729 | £76,608,834 |
| 3 | Beclometasone (nasal) | 1,568,043 | £4,340,129 |
| 4 | Colecalciferol | 7,670,071 | £37,960,917 |
| 5 | Macrogol 3350 | 6,910,560 | £50,779,065 |
| 6 | Cetirizine | 3,812,599 | £12,791,631 |
| Total cost: | £200,307,892 |
What are the most commonly prescribed over the counter medicines used for?
Aspirin: Aspirin is commonly used as a pain reliever for minor aches and pains. It also serves as an anti-inflammatory drug and can reduce fever. Additionally, in low doses (Baby Aspirin – 75mg of aspirin), it is used as a blood thinner to prevent blood clots, reducing the risk of stroke and heart attack. Low-dose aspirin is most commonly prescribed. Low-dose aspirin can be purchased from pharmacies at relatively low cost. A pack of 100 aspirin tablets (3 months supply) may cost between £1-£2.
Paracetamol: This medication is used to relieve pain and reduce fever. It is commonly used for headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, backache, toothaches, colds, and fevers. A box of 32 paracetamol tablets should cost around £1 in pharmacies.
Beclomethasone: Over the counter beclomethasone which is prescribed includes beclomethasone nasal spray. Beclomethasone nasal spray can be purchased without a prescription. It is only licensed from 18 years of age. A most well-known brand of beclomethasone nasal spray is Beconase which is priced around £10 depending on the size of the spray. Some ‘generic’ beclomethasone sprays are occasionally available. These are considerably cheaper than Beconase nasal spray.
Colecalciferol (Vitamin D3): Colecalciferol is a form of vitamin D that is used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency. This includes conditions such as rickets, osteoporosis, and Vitamin D deficiency in adults and children. It helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the stomach and the functioning of calcium in the body, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth.
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Colecalciferol carries a huge price tag for NHS. GPs across the country prescribe different brands of colecalciferol with prices (to NHS) which vary a lot. Colecalciferol 1000 units and more can be purchased over the counter with some brands costing around £2 for a 2 months supply of this supplement.
Macrogol 3350: This medication is a laxative used to treat constipation. It works by holding water in the stool, which softens the stool and makes it easier to pass. The most common brands of macrogol prescribed in the UK are Laxido and CosmoCol. Movicol is less commonly prescribed these days due to its higher price. A box of Movicol costs almost twice as much as Laxido or CosmoCol.
Laxido, CosmoCol, Movicol and other brands of macrogol laxatives can be purchased over the counter.
Cetirizine: Cetirizine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, itching eyes/nose, and sneezing. It is also used to treat itching and swelling caused by chronic urticaria (hives).
Cetirizine tablets and liquid can be purchased over the counter.
