What percentage of adults aged 65 years and older takes at least one prescription medicine?

Almost 90\% of older adults regularly take at least 1 prescription drug, almost 80\% regularly take at least 2 prescription drugs, and 36\% regularly take at least 5 different prescription drugs. When over-the-counter and dietary supplements are included, these rates are even higher.

What percentage of prescription medications are taken by people over 65?

People age 65 and older make up 12 percent of the U.S. population, but account for 34 percent of all prescription medication use and 30 percent of all over-the-counter medication use.

How many prescriptions does the average 65 year old take?

The statistics on medication usage among elderly patients in the US are eye-opening: more than one-third of prescriptions drugs used in the US are taken by elderly patients; the ambulatory elderly fill between 9-13 prescriptions a year (including new prescriptions and refills); the average elderly patient is taking …

What percent of Americans report using one or more prescription drugs?

In 2015–2016, 45.8\% of the U.S. population used one or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days (Figure 1). Prescription drug use increased with age, overall and among males and females.

How many medications does the average senior take?

Research shows that the average older adult takes four or more prescription drugs each day, but a whopping 39 percent of seniors take five or more prescriptions each day. While each one was created to treat or manage a specific medical problem, each also comes with its own risks and side effects.

What percentage of seniors take medication?

Nearly nine in ten (89\%) adults 65 and older report they are currently taking any prescription medicine. This compares to three-fourths of 50-64 year olds who report taking prescription drugs, half (51\%) of 30-49 year olds, and four in ten (38\%) 18-29 year olds.

What percentage of the US population takes prescription drugs?

Prescription drug statistics in the United States About 66\% of U.S. adults take prescription drugs (Health Policy Institute, 2021). About 46\% of U.S. adults have taken a prescription drug in the past 30 days (CDC, 2019).

What is the average number of prescriptions per person in the US?

How many prescriptions does the average American take? Data suggests that among those who take prescription medications, the average number of medications taken is four. More than 131 million Americans take at least one prescription medication.

What is the number one prescribed drug in the United States?

The Top 300 Drugs of 2019

Rank	Drug Name	Total Prescriptions (2019)
1	Atorvastatin	112,104,359
2	Levothyroxine	102,595,103
3	Lisinopril	91,862,708
4	Metformin	85,739,443

How many medications does the average senior citizen take?

What country takes the most prescription drugs?

The USA
The USA is the country that spent the most on medication per capita in 2018, spending over $330 more per capita than any other country.

How many medications does the average elderly person take per day?

How many prescription drugs do people over 65 take?

Researchers estimate that 25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions, a figure that jumps to nearly 46 percent for those between 70 and 79. Doctors say it is not uncommon to encounter patients taking more than 20 drugs to treat acid reflux, heart disease,…

What is the US prevalence of prescription drug use among older adults?

People age 65 and older make up 12 percent of the U.S. population, but account for 34 percent of all prescription medication use and 30 percent of all over-the-counter medication use. [ 2]

How many people use prescription drugs in the US?

1 Percent of persons using at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days: 48.6\% (2015-2018) 2 Percent of persons using three or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days: 24\% (2015-2018) 3 Percent of persons using five or more prescription drugs in the past 30 days: 12.8\% (2015-2018)

Can older adults live stronger with prescription drugs?

Older adults can live stronger, longer by carefully following their doctor’s and pharmacist’s instructions regarding medications. People age 65 and older make up 12 percent of the U.S. population, but account for 34 percent of all prescription medication use and 30 percent of all over-the-counter medication use.