Top 200 drugs: generic names, brands and classes
2024 U.S. data · released July 2026 · checked October 15, 2026
These are the 200 drugs U.S. households filled most often in 2024, ranked from AHRQ's national survey (how we built it). For each one, learn the generic name, a brand name and the drug class. The PTCB exam outline covers generic names, brand names and drug classes, but it does not name specific drugs. This list is ours, built from public data.
- Top 3: atorvastatin (Lipitor), metformin (Glucophage), levothyroxine (Synthroid).
- 18 of 200 are federally controlled (C-II, C-III, C-IV, C-V).
- Biggest classes: Benzodiazepine (5), SSRI antidepressant (5), Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) (5).
- Learn 50 at a time. Start with the top 50.
- Hide the brands and say each one out loud.
- Take the quiz until you score 10 of 10.
200 of 200 drugs · tap a brand to check it
| # | Generic name | Brand example | Drug class | Fills in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | atorvastatin | Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) | 116M | |
| 2 | metformin | Biguanide (diabetes) | 83M | |
| 3 | levothyroxine | Thyroid hormone (T4) | 82M | |
| 4 | amlodipine | Calcium channel blocker | 71M | |
| 5 | lisinopril | ACE inhibitor | 67M | |
| 6 | albuterol | Beta-2 agonist bronchodilator | 62M | |
| 7 | losartan | Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) | 59M | |
| 8 | metoprolol | Beta blocker | 58M | |
| 9 | rosuvastatin | Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) | 54M | |
| 10 | omeprazole | Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) | 50M | |
| 11 | gabapentin | Anticonvulsant | 47M | |
| 12 | sertraline | SSRI antidepressant | 45M | |
| 13 | escitalopram | SSRI antidepressant | 42M | |
| 14 | semaglutide | GLP-1 receptor agonist | 41M | |
| 15 | amphetamine / dextroamphetamineC-II | CNS stimulant | 37M | |
| 16 | pantoprazole | Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) | 35M | |
| 17 | bupropion | Antidepressant (aminoketone) | 35M | |
| 18 | hydrochlorothiazide | Thiazide diuretic | 32M | |
| 19 | fluoxetine | SSRI antidepressant | 30M | |
| 20 | trazodone | Antidepressant | 26M | |
| 21 | montelukast | Leukotriene receptor antagonist | 26M | |
| 22 | amoxicillin | Penicillin antibiotic | 25M | |
| 23 | tamsulosin | Alpha blocker | 23M | |
| 24 | apixaban | Anticoagulant (factor Xa inhibitor) | 22M | |
| 25 | insulin glargine | Long-acting insulin | 22M | |
| 26 | simvastatin | Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) | 22M | |
| 27 | empagliflozin | SGLT2 inhibitor | 21M | |
| 28 | furosemide | Loop diuretic | 20M | |
| 29 | meloxicam | NSAID | 20M | |
| 30 | hydrocodone / acetaminophenC-II | Opioid analgesic combination | 19M | |
| 31 | tirzepatide | GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist | 19M | |
| 32 | fluticasone (nasal) | Corticosteroid nasal spray | 19M | |
| 33 | methylphenidateC-II | CNS stimulant | 19M | |
| 34 | duloxetine | SNRI antidepressant | 18M | |
| 35 | prednisone | Corticosteroid | 18M | |
| 36 | carvedilol | Alpha and beta blocker | 17M | |
| 37 | famotidine | H2 blocker | 17M | |
| 38 | ibuprofen | NSAID | 17M | |
| 39 | buspirone | Antianxiety agent | 17M | |
| 40 | venlafaxine | SNRI antidepressant | 16M | |
| 41 | tramadolC-IV | Opioid analgesic | 15M | |
| 42 | potassium chloride | Potassium supplement | 15M | |
| 43 | allopurinol | Xanthine oxidase inhibitor (gout) | 15M | |
| 44 | hydroxyzine | Antihistamine | 15M | |
| 45 | clopidogrel | Antiplatelet (P2Y12 inhibitor) | 15M | |
| 46 | ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) | Vitamin D | 15M | |
| 47 | cetirizine | Antihistamine | 14M | |
| 48 | ondansetron | Antiemetic (5-HT3 blocker) | 14M | |
| 49 | cyclobenzaprine | Skeletal muscle relaxant | 14M | |
| 50 | spironolactone | Potassium-sparing diuretic (aldosterone antagonist) | 13M | |
| 51 | oxycodoneC-II | Opioid analgesic | 13M | |
| 52 | glipizide | Sulfonylurea (diabetes) | 13M | |
| 53 | aspirin | Antiplatelet and NSAID (salicylate) | 13M | |
| 54 | zolpidemC-IV | Sedative-hypnotic (sleep) | 13M | |
| 55 | lamotrigine | Anticonvulsant | 13M | |
| 56 | alprazolamC-IV | Benzodiazepine | 13M | |
| 57 | citalopram | SSRI antidepressant | 13M | |
| 58 | pregabalinC-V | Anticonvulsant (nerve pain) | 12M | |
| 59 | clonazepamC-IV | Benzodiazepine | 12M | |
| 60 | azithromycin | Macrolide antibiotic | 11M | |
| 61 | pravastatin | Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) | 11M | |
| 62 | valsartan | Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) | 11M | |
| 63 | ezetimibe | Cholesterol absorption inhibitor | 11M | |
| 64 | insulin lispro | Rapid-acting insulin | 10M | |
| 65 | ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone | Contraceptive (estrogen and progestin) | 10M | |
| 66 | propranolol | Beta blocker (nonselective) | 10M | |
| 67 | latanoprost (eye drops) | Glaucoma eye drop (prostaglandin analog) | 10M | |
| 68 | lisdexamfetamineC-II | CNS stimulant | 9.9M | |
| 69 | atenolol | Beta blocker | 9.9M | |
| 70 | doxycycline | Tetracycline antibiotic | 9.8M | |
| 71 | amoxicillin / clavulanate | Penicillin antibiotic with beta-lactamase inhibitor | 9.7M | |
| 72 | estradiol | Estrogen | 9.2M | |
| 73 | dulaglutide | GLP-1 receptor agonist | 9.2M | |
| 74 | lisinopril / hydrochlorothiazide | ACE inhibitor with thiazide diuretic | 9.2M | |
| 75 | fluticasone / salmeterol | Inhaled corticosteroid with long-acting beta-2 agonist | 9.2M | |
| 76 | lorazepamC-IV | Benzodiazepine | 9.1M | |
| 77 | insulin aspart | Rapid-acting insulin | 9.0M | |
| 78 | celecoxib | NSAID (COX-2 inhibitor) | 8.9M | |
| 79 | finasteride | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor | 8.8M | |
| 80 | quetiapine | Atypical antipsychotic | 8.7M | |
| 81 | clonidine | Central alpha-2 agonist | 8.4M | |
| 82 | aripiprazole | Atypical antipsychotic | 8.2M | |
| 83 | cephalexin | Cephalosporin antibiotic | 8.2M | |
| 84 | alendronate | Bisphosphonate | 8.2M | |
| 85 | topiramate | Anticonvulsant | 8.1M | |
| 86 | tizanidine | Muscle relaxant (central alpha-2 agonist) | 8.0M | |
| 87 | dapagliflozin | SGLT2 inhibitor | 8.0M | |
| 88 | oxycodone / acetaminophenC-II | Opioid analgesic combination | 8.0M | |
| 89 | testosteroneC-III | Androgen | 7.8M | |
| 90 | losartan / hydrochlorothiazide | ARB with thiazide diuretic | 7.7M | |
| 91 | olmesartan | Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) | 7.7M | |
| 92 | amitriptyline | Tricyclic antidepressant | 7.5M | |
| 93 | folic acid | — | Vitamin (folate) | 7.5M |
| 94 | rivaroxaban | Anticoagulant (factor Xa inhibitor) | 7.4M | |
| 95 | fenofibrate | Fibrate | 7.4M | |
| 96 | triamcinolone (topical) | Topical corticosteroid | 7.3M | |
| 97 | paroxetine | SSRI antidepressant | 7.2M | |
| 98 | ferrous sulfate | — | Iron supplement | 7.1M |
| 99 | budesonide / formoterol | Inhaled corticosteroid with long-acting beta-2 agonist | 7.0M | |
| 100 | loratadine | Antihistamine | 7.0M | |
| 101 | valacyclovir | Antiviral (herpes viruses) | 7.0M | |
| 102 | warfarin | Anticoagulant (vitamin K antagonist) | 7.0M | |
| 103 | ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate | Contraceptive (estrogen and progestin) | 6.8M | |
| 104 | fluticasone / umeclidinium / vilanterol | Inhaled corticosteroid with two long-acting bronchodilators | 6.7M | |
| 105 | methocarbamol | Skeletal muscle relaxant | 6.6M | |
| 106 | acetaminophen | Analgesic and fever reducer | 6.5M | |
| 107 | diltiazem | Calcium channel blocker | 6.3M | |
| 108 | thyroid, desiccated | Thyroid hormone (T4 and T3) | 6.1M | |
| 109 | baclofen | Skeletal muscle relaxant | 6.0M | |
| 110 | diclofenac | NSAID | 5.9M | |
| 111 | naproxen | NSAID | 5.9M | |
| 112 | sumatriptan | Triptan (migraine) | 5.8M | |
| 113 | esomeprazole | Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) | 5.7M | |
| 114 | mirtazapine | Antidepressant (tetracyclic) | 5.6M | |
| 115 | levetiracetam | Anticonvulsant | 5.5M | |
| 116 | norethindrone | Progestin | 5.5M | |
| 117 | tadalafil | PDE5 inhibitor | 5.5M | |
| 118 | nifedipine | Calcium channel blocker | 5.5M | |
| 119 | progesterone | Progestin (progesterone) | 5.5M | |
| 120 | insulin degludec | Long-acting insulin | 5.5M | |
| 121 | cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) | — | Vitamin B12 | 5.4M |
| 122 | hydralazine | Vasodilator | 5.4M | |
| 123 | adalimumab | TNF blocker (biologic) | 5.2M | |
| 124 | sitagliptin | DPP-4 inhibitor | 5.1M | |
| 125 | glimepiride | Sulfonylurea (diabetes) | 5.1M | |
| 126 | chlorthalidone | Thiazide-like diuretic | 4.9M | |
| 127 | oxybutynin | Bladder antispasmodic (anticholinergic) | 4.9M | |
| 128 | pioglitazone | Thiazolidinedione (diabetes) | 4.9M | |
| 129 | ketoconazole (topical) | Azole antifungal | 4.8M | |
| 130 | irbesartan | Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) | 4.8M | |
| 131 | azelastine (nasal) | Antihistamine nasal spray | 4.7M | |
| 132 | hydroxychloroquine | Antimalarial and antirheumatic | 4.7M | |
| 133 | nitrofurantoin | Urinary tract antibiotic | 4.7M | |
| 134 | sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim | Sulfonamide antibiotic combination | 4.6M | |
| 135 | benzonatate | Cough suppressant (non-opioid) | 4.6M | |
| 136 | isosorbide mononitrate | Nitrate (angina) | 4.6M | |
| 137 | prednisolone (eye drops) | Corticosteroid eye drop | 4.6M | |
| 138 | diclofenac (topical) | NSAID (topical) | 4.6M | |
| 139 | methylprednisolone | Corticosteroid | 4.5M | |
| 140 | triamterene / hydrochlorothiazide | Potassium-sparing diuretic with thiazide | 4.4M | |
| 141 | levocetirizine | Antihistamine | 4.4M | |
| 142 | fluticasone (inhaled) | Inhaled corticosteroid | 4.4M | |
| 143 | atomoxetine | ADHD nonstimulant (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) | 4.2M | |
| 144 | dexmethylphenidateC-II | CNS stimulant | 4.0M | |
| 145 | methotrexate | Antimetabolite (folate antagonist) | 4.0M | |
| 146 | donepezil | Cholinesterase inhibitor (dementia) | 3.9M | |
| 147 | desvenlafaxine | SNRI antidepressant | 3.9M | |
| 148 | ropinirole | Dopamine agonist | 3.8M | |
| 149 | clobetasol (topical) | Topical corticosteroid | 3.8M | |
| 150 | fluticasone / vilanterol | Inhaled corticosteroid with long-acting beta-2 agonist | 3.8M | |
| 151 | ipratropium / albuterol | Anticholinergic with beta-2 agonist bronchodilator | 3.8M | |
| 152 | phentermineC-IV | Appetite suppressant (sympathomimetic) | 3.8M | |
| 153 | mupirocin (topical) | Topical antibiotic | 3.7M | |
| 154 | verapamil | Calcium channel blocker | 3.7M | |
| 155 | estradiol (topical and vaginal) | Estrogen | 3.7M | |
| 156 | etonogestrel / ethinyl estradiol (vaginal ring) | Contraceptive (estrogen and progestin) | 3.6M | |
| 157 | olanzapine | Atypical antipsychotic | 3.6M | |
| 158 | prazosin | Alpha blocker | 3.6M | |
| 159 | sildenafil | PDE5 inhibitor | 3.5M | |
| 160 | ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel | Contraceptive (estrogen and progestin) | 3.5M | |
| 161 | evolocumab | PCSK9 inhibitor (biologic) | 3.5M | |
| 162 | mesalamine | Aminosalicylate (ulcerative colitis) | 3.4M | |
| 163 | memantine | NMDA receptor antagonist (dementia) | 3.4M | |
| 164 | diazepamC-IV | Benzodiazepine | 3.3M | |
| 165 | lithium | Mood stabilizer | 3.3M | |
| 166 | nortriptyline | Tricyclic antidepressant | 3.3M | |
| 167 | timolol (eye drops) | Glaucoma eye drop (beta blocker) | 3.3M | |
| 168 | cefdinir | Cephalosporin antibiotic | 3.3M | |
| 169 | meclizine | Antihistamine (vertigo and nausea) | 3.2M | |
| 170 | cyclosporine (eye drops) | Dry eye drop (calcineurin inhibitor) | 3.2M | |
| 171 | tretinoin (topical) | Retinoid (acne) | 3.2M | |
| 172 | magnesium oxide | — | Magnesium supplement | 3.2M |
| 173 | fluconazole | Azole antifungal | 3.2M | |
| 174 | rimegepant | CGRP receptor antagonist (migraine) | 3.2M | |
| 175 | lovastatin | Statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) | 3.1M | |
| 176 | tiotropium | Long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator | 3.1M | |
| 177 | docusate | Stool softener | 3.1M | |
| 178 | temazepamC-IV | Benzodiazepine | 3.0M | |
| 179 | benazepril | ACE inhibitor | 3.0M | |
| 180 | brimonidine (eye drops) | Glaucoma eye drop (alpha-2 agonist) | 3.0M | |
| 181 | nirmatrelvir / ritonavir | Antiviral (COVID-19) | 3.0M | |
| 182 | ofloxacin (eye drops) | Quinolone antibiotic eye drop | 2.9M | |
| 183 | sacubitril / valsartan | ARB with neprilysin inhibitor (heart failure) | 2.8M | |
| 184 | divalproex sodium | Anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer | 2.8M | |
| 185 | nebivolol | Beta blocker | 2.8M | |
| 186 | acyclovir | Antiviral (herpes viruses) | 2.7M | |
| 187 | morphineC-II | Opioid analgesic | 2.7M | |
| 188 | doxazosin | Alpha blocker | 2.7M | |
| 189 | amlodipine / benazepril | Calcium channel blocker with ACE inhibitor | 2.6M | |
| 190 | ciprofloxacin | Fluoroquinolone antibiotic | 2.6M | |
| 191 | emtricitabine / tenofovir | HIV antiviral combination | 2.6M | |
| 192 | budesonide | Corticosteroid | 2.6M | |
| 193 | dupilumab | Interleukin-4 receptor blocker (biologic) | 2.6M | |
| 194 | enalapril | ACE inhibitor | 2.5M | |
| 195 | anastrozole | Aromatase inhibitor (breast cancer) | 2.5M | |
| 196 | torsemide | Loop diuretic | 2.4M | |
| 197 | polyethylene glycol 3350 | Osmotic laxative | 2.4M | |
| 198 | nitroglycerin | Nitrate (angina) | 2.4M | |
| 199 | flecainide | Antiarrhythmic | 2.3M | |
| 200 | liothyronine | Thyroid hormone (T3) | 2.3M |
No drugs match. Try a shorter search.
Fills are estimated prescription fills and refills in 2024, in millions. They are survey estimates, so drugs close in rank may not truly differ. † This brand is listed as discontinued in FDA's Orange Book, but the name is still widely known. C-II to C-V marks a federal DEA schedule.
Brand or generic? 10-question quiz
Each question shows a generic or a brand name. Pick its match. Answers come from the list above.
How we built this list
- Data: AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2024 Prescribed Medicines file (HC-254A), released by AHRQ in July 2026. Each record is one fill or refill that a household member got at a pharmacy. We added up the survey weights to estimate fills for each drug, then ranked them.
- What we left out: fills with no drug name recorded, 33 entries that AHRQ reports only as a drug class to protect privacy, 3 supplements and product groups (vitamin D3, melatonin and eye lubricant drops), and 1 estimate that was too uncertain (relative standard error above 30%).
- Brand names: one or two well-known brands, each checked in FDA's Orange Book and National Drug Code Directory for the same active ingredient. Many drugs have other brands too.
- Drug class: in plain words, checked against FDA's established pharmacologic class. DEA schedules come from FDA's drug listings and 21 CFR Part 1308.
- Not official: this is not a PTCB list, and rank does not mean a drug is more likely to be on the exam.
Keep studying
Sources
- AHRQ Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2024 Prescribed Medicines file (HC-254A) Accessed October 15, 2026
- AHRQ MEPS HC-254A documentation: 2024 Prescribed Medicines Accessed October 15, 2026
- FDA Orange Book: Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations (data files) Accessed October 15, 2026
- FDA National Drug Code Directory Accessed October 15, 2026
- eCFR: 21 CFR Part 1308, Schedules of Controlled Substances Accessed October 15, 2026
- PTCB: PTCE Content Outline (effective January 6, 2026) Accessed October 15, 2026
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