These are the top 25 psychiatric medications by number of U.S. prescriptions dispensed in 2009, according to IMS Health. I’ve also provided their 2005 ranking. To put the percent change into perspective, the U.S. total population rose approximately 4 percent from 2005 to 2009.
| 2009 Rank |
2005 Rank |
Brand name (generic name) |
Used for… | U.S. Prescriptions (% change) |
| 1. | 1. |
Xanax (alprazolam) |
Anxiety |
44,029,000 (29%) |
| 2. | 3. |
Lexapro |
Depression, Anxiety |
27,698,000 (13%) |
| 3. | 5. |
Ativan (lorazepam) |
Anxiety, panic disorder |
25,868,000 (36%) |
| 4. | 2. |
Zoloft (sertraline) |
Depression, Anxiety, OCD, PTSD, PMDD |
19,500,000 (- 28%) |
| 5. | 4. |
Prozac (fluoxetine) |
Depression, Anxiety |
19,499,000 (- 9%) |
| 6. | N/A |
Desyrel (trazodone) |
Depression, Anxiety | 18,873,000 |
| 7. | 16. |
Cymbalta (duloxetine) |
Depression, Anxiety, fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy |
16,626,000 (237%) |
| 8. | 13. |
Seroquel (quetiapine) |
Bipolar disorder, Depression |
15,814,000 (88%) |
| 9. | 6. |
Effexor XR (venlafaxine) |
Depression, Anxiety, Panic disorder |
14,992,000 (- 13%) |
| 10. | 9. |
Valium (diazepam) |
Anxiety, Panic disorder |
14,009,000 (16%) |
| 11. | N/A |
Amphetamine salts (Generic) |
Attention deficit disorder | 10,794,000 |
| 12. | 14. |
Risperdal (risperidone) |
Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, irritability in autism |
10,590,000 (45%) |
| 13. | N/A |
Vistaril* (hydroxyzine) |
Anxiety, tension | 9,770,000 |
| 14. | N/A |
Bupropion (Generic) |
Depression, stop smoking | 8,981,000 |
| 15. | N/A |
Abilify (aripiprazole) |
Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Depression | 8,209,000 |
| 16. | N/A |
Concerta (methylphenidate) |
Attention deficit disorder | 8,098,000 |
| 17. | 11. |
Celexa (citalopram) |
Depression, Anxiety |
7,215,000 (- 22%) |
| 18. | 19. |
Buspar (buspirone) |
Sleep, Anxiety |
5,455,000 (35%) |
| 19. | N/A |
Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) |
Attention deficit disorder | 5,437,000 |
| 20. | 17. |
Zyprexa (olanzapine) |
Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia |
5,379,000 (18%) |
| 21. | 12. |
Adderall XR (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) |
Attention deficit disorder | 5,255,000 |
| 22. | 10. |
Wellbutrin XL (bupropion xl) |
Depression |
3,021,000 (- 73%) |
| 23. | N/A |
Geodon (ziprasidone) |
Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia | 3,012,000 |
| 24. | 15. |
Strattera (atomoxetine) |
Attention deficit disorder |
2,919,000 (- 42%) |
| 25. | N/A |
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) |
Depression | 2,432,000 |
Medications that weren’t listed in 2009 by IMS Health (but were in 2005): Klonopin, Elavil, Depakote, and Paxil.
If no percentage change is listed, we did not track it in 2005.
* – This is not a psychiatric medication, but is often prescribed for a mental health issue.
APA Reference
Grohol, J. (2010). Top 25 Psychiatric Prescriptions for 2009. Psych Central. Retrieved on February 13, 2012, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2010/top-25-psychiatric-prescriptions-for-2009/
Grohol, J. (2010). Top 25 Psychiatric Prescriptions for 2009. Psych Central. Retrieved on February 13, 2012, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2010/top-25-psychiatric-prescriptions-for-2009/
Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 27 Apr 2010
Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.
