Frequently Rated Drugs Most Prescribed Generic Medicines
- ACETAMINOPHEN; HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE (VICODIN)
- AMLODIPINE BESYLATE (NORVASC)
- ATORVASTATIN CALCIUM (LIPITOR)
- GABAPENTIN (GABAPENTIN)
- LEVOTHYROXINE SODIUM (LEVOXYL)
- LISINOPRIL (LISINOPRIL)
- METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE (GLUCOPHAGE)
- METOPROLOL TARTRATE (METOPROLOL TARTRATE)
- OMEPRAZOLE (OMEPRAZOLE)
- SIMVASTATIN (ZOCOR)
(for 2016; listed alphabetically)
2016 Drug Ratings Roundup: the Best, Worst, and Most Popular
We compiled the following lists from the AskaPatient database, then searched the year's news reports for stories or press releases for the drugs that made the list. AskaPatient average ratings are presented next to each drug name.
A “5” is the highest rating (the medicine helped the patient a great deal), while a “1” is the lowest (the patient wouldn’t recommend the treatment).
"The Best"
Top Rated Drugs of 2016: (based on ratings received in 2016)
#1 Robinul (for hyperhydrosis, excessive sweating or salivating, ulcers): 4.6 (average rating in 2016)
For the second year in a row, Robinul (GLYCOPYRROLATE) received the highest average rating from patients.
- Dry mouth, headache, and blurred vision are top complaints. "Review Summary" on AskaPatient lists top side effects: http://www.askapatient.com/review-summary.asp?drug=ROBINUL
- This Huffington Post article on hyperhydrosis describes various treatment options: "3 Reasons you sweat so much and what to do about it"
#2 Nuvigil (daytime sleepiness or hypersomnia): 4.4
Cephalon’s Nuvigil was approved as a generic this year:
http://www.pharmacytimes.com/product-news/generic-nuvigil-abbreviated-new-drug-application-gets-fda-nod
#3 Maxalt (migraine headaches) 4.3
Was Merck’s Maxalt unfairly being kept on or off lists of Pharmacy Benefit Managers? A DOJ investigation into this and other drugs happened this year: http://www.bioworld.com/content/pbms-shadow-players-drug-pricing-skirmish-0
"The Worst"
Worst Rated Drugs of 2016 (based on ratings received in 2016)
#1 Boniva (osteoporosis): 1.00
UCLA study finds osteoporosis drugs can have troubling side effects:
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/for-treating-a-leading-cause-of-osteoporosis-surgery-is-better-than-widely-used-medications
#2 Compazine (nausea): 1.07
American Headache Society included Compazine by I.V. in its recommended treatment regimen for treating migraine in the emergency room.
https://migraine.com/living-migraine/treatment-guidelines-for-the-er/
#3 Zetia (high cholesterol): 1.12
Merck’s cholesterol drugs, including Zetia, weren’t approved by FDA for also reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients with heart disease.
http://www.fiercepharma.com/regulatory/merck-s-cholesterol-meds-zetia-vytorin-lose-final-appeal-for-bigger-cv-marke
"The Most Reviews"
Most Reviewed Drug on AskaPatient in 2016
#1 Flonase (allergies) 2.1
Flonase in the 2016 news:
- Allergy drug Flonase went over-the-counter early in 2016 and generated over $100 million in its first 16 weeks on the shelves.
http://www.drugstorenews.com/article/gsk%E2%80%99s-new-flonase-already-top-allergy-seller - Children's Flonase was also released this year by GSK. News Release on Children's Flonase
“The Most Researched”
Top Drugs of Interest in 2016 based on number of AskaPatient page views
#1 Brintellix (depression)
#2 Flonase (congestion; allergies)
#3 Metrogel Vaginal (bacterial vaginosis)
#4 Buspar (depression)
#5 Wellbutrin (depression)
“The Most Advertised”
Ratings Scores for the Top 5 Most Advertised Drugs
(top 5 based on 2015 list from Kantar Media)Expense |
Drug |
Treatment |
Rating |
|
1 |
$357 |
Arthritis |
3.2 |
|
2 |
$328 |
Fibromyalgia/Diabetes |
2.7 |
|
3 |
$249 |
Stroke Prevention |
2.0 |
|
4 |
$222 |
E.D. |
3.2 |
|
5 |
$183 |
Arthritis |
3.6 |
Top 10 Most Popular Health News Stories at AskaPatient in 2016
Rank |
|
1 |
Your birth year determines how likely you are to fall seriously ill in the event of a flu pandemic. http://ow.ly/2RkE3063Omk |
2 |
NSAID study yields surprising results on the safety of ibuprofen. http://ow.ly/v4RB306cQYy |
3 |
Autoimmune diseases such as MS could be stopped in their tracks with the help of one plant. http://ow.ly/10yqO7 |
4 |
Everyone knows that blueberries are good for you, but their health benefits are even better than people think. http://ow.ly/1X5n301ps69 |
5 |
New compound eases neuropathic pain with light touch in those with nerve damage without disturbing other sensations. http://ow.ly/BW4f3074bER |
6 |
Common food additive alters intestinal bacteria to promote colon cancer in mouse study. http://ow.ly/7rmZ305X7Yg |
7 |
One in five patients with bowel cancer had red flag symptoms that should have been noticed earlier. http://ow.ly/8Tx4304F3mF |
8 |
Sudden cardiac arrest might not be so sudden; signs are common, but often ignored in the preceding weeks. http://ow.ly/Wzdva |
9 |
Why you’re stiff in the morning: your body suppresses inflammation while you sleep at night. http://ow.ly/Nk7l302YIUH |
10 |
Avoid antioxidant supplements unless advised by a medical professional, warns scientific review. http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/PressRelease/pressReleaseId-126812.html |
Most popular rankings are based on number of full-story clicks by our twitter and newsletter subscribers.
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-by Katie Rowley with news compiled and edited by Thomas Williams.