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Key:
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AD = antidepressants
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ACEi = ACE inhibitors (a class of drugs which
lower blood pressure)
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AED = antiepileptic drugs (anticonvulsants)
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benzos = benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam,
clonazepam, alprazolam)
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In terms of U.S. prescription
volumes in 2009, lipid lowering drugs
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(e.g., statins) and
codeine or codeine combinations (synthetic painkillers) were the dominant
drugs.
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Interestingly, three
families of neuropsychiatric medications were commonly prescribed. Antidepressants were the third most
dominant drug class in terms of # of prescriptions dispensed (168.7 million
prescriptions). AED (anti-epileptic
drugs, which are used not only for seizure disorders, but increasingly for
control of mood swings, aggression, and misbehavior) placed seventh (104.5
million prescriptions).
Benzodiazepines (so-called “minor tranquilizers” or anti-anxiety
drugs) finished eleventh.
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