Addictive Painkiller Is Number One Prescription Drug In America
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - What do you think is the most prescribed drug in America today?
Is it one of those statin drugs like simvistatin that lower cholesterol? No. Simvistatin is fourth. How about that blood pressure medication lisinopril? Actually, it's third. In second place is a thyroid medication called levothyroxin.
So what is number one? I actually find it quite disturbing. It is hydrocodone/acetaminophen. You might know it by brand names like Vicodin and certainly for those with pain it can be a major weapon, but we are also finding a growing number of people addicted to these pain medications and my fear is far too often we, as physicians, rely on pills like this - pills that have a huge street value and are far too often abused.
That is why the number one position concerns me.
