Healthcare Insights
Top medications prescribed by endocrinologists
More than 37 million Americans are estimated to have diabetes and nearly 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed each year. While this chronic condition is often managed through diet, activity and insulin measurement, endocrinologists play an important role in treating patients with diabetes.
For this analysis, we reviewed data from the Definitive Healthcare Atlas Prescription Claims and PhysicianView products for the top 20 most prescribed endocrine medications dispensed to U.S. patients in 2022.
| Rank | Drug name | Percent of U.S. endocrinology prescriptions dispensed in 2022 | Explore dataset |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Levothyroxine sodium | 10.1% | Explore |
| 2 | Synthroid | 3.7% | Explore |
| 3 | Ozempic | 3.6% | Explore |
| 4 | Metformin hydrochloride | 3.4% | Explore |
| 5 | Trulicity | 3.3% | Explore |
| 6 | Metformin hydrochloride extended release | 2.7% | Explore |
| 7 | Jardiance | 2.5% | Explore |
| 8 | Atorvastatin calcium | 2.4% | Explore |
| 9 | Lantus solostar | 1.9% | Explore |
| 10 | Methimazole | 1.7% | Explore |
| 11 | Freestyle Libre 2 sensor | 1.7% | Explore |
| 12 | Dexcom G6 sensor | 1.5% | Explore |
| 13 | Vitamin D2 | 1.3% | Explore |
| 14 | Rosuvastatin calcium | 1.3% | Explore |
| 15 | Novolog flexpen | 1.3% | Explore |
| 16 | Glimepiride | 1.2% | Explore |
| 17 | Onetouch Verio test strip | 1.1% | Explore |
| 18 | Freestyle Libre 14 day sensor | 1.1% | Explore |
| 19 | Lisinopril | 1.1% | Explore |
| 20 | Farxiga | 1.0% | Explore |
Fig. 1 Data is from the Definitive Healthcare Atlas Prescription Claims and PhysicianView products for calendar year 2022. Claims data is sourced from multiple medical claims clearinghouses in the United States and updated monthly. Accessed August 2023.
What are the most common endocrine medications?
With more than 10% share of dispensed endocrine medications, levothyroxine sodium is the most prescribed drug by endocrinologists. The medication is used for hypothyroidism treatment, which is often a co-morbidity of diabetes. The second most common endocrine medication on the list, Synthroid, is a branded version of levothyroxine sodium.
Ozempic, which has been in the news because of some weight-loss-related side effects, is the third most popular endocrine medication, with 3.6% of 2022 dispensed prescriptions. And metformin hydrochloride, used for diabetes treatment and management, is the fourth most common endocrine medication dispensed in 2022.
What does an endocrinologist treat?
Endocrinologists specialize in the regulation of hormones and treatment of glands such as the thyroid and pancreas. Conditions they treat revolve around growth, weight, blood sugar management, and reproductive issues.
What is the most common disease treated by an endocrinologist?
Endocrinologists treat several conditions and diseases – the most common is diabetes.
Other conditions endocrinologists treat include:
- Cholesterol problems
- Diabetes
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Hypertension
- Infertility
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Thyroid disorders
Learn more
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