# How many different prescription meds do you take? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 14, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535 "2012-01-14T22:28:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/21 "2012-01-15T00:29:32Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > I think a lot of the drugs that people take are “preventative” drugs. Personally, I’m on three BP meds and a cholesterol med. But none of those are because I’m sick; I’m on them because they increase my chances of living to a ripe old age. I’m a 64-year-old male, and you’ve just described my medications. Then again, I’m the first male in my paternal lineage that hasn’t had his first heart attack before the age of fifty (because I haven’t had one yet), so maybe those prescriptions are working. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/22 "2012-01-15T00:41:26Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > Yeah, but they’re preventative, not curative. And a LOT of perfectly healthy het women of childbearing age take them. So yes drugs, but in a different class. But most long-term meds aren’t curative, because most long-term conditions aren’t able to be cured. You’re just managing them, or preventing some worse followup condition. The only truly curative drugs there are are antibiotics. I don’t take any prescription drugs on a regular basis, but I do take generic Claratin and generic Zantac. And it’s a pretty rare year I don’t wind up with an infection or having some dental work (I take prophylactic antibiotics because of a minor heart murmur) or needing antihistamine eye drops or some damn thing. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/23 "2012-01-15T00:59:25Z")
I guess I should vote other, since I take a prescribed iron supplement for a couple more months - until I have the baby. Sure, it’s a prescription, but I could get it OTC really. It’s just cheaper this way, since my insurance covers the ones in the little amber bottles but not the big honking white bottle… Other than these supplements, my entire prescription history is: one round of antibiotics when I was 14, one round of muscle relaxers for a back injury when I was 20, and another antibiotic scrip around 1996. I’m a 41-year-old woman. ---
**Author:** ![Kasper1014](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c89c15/32.png) [@Kasper1014](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kasper1014)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/24 "2012-01-15T01:12:13Z")
I’m female, 39 and have Myasthenia Gravis. I take… Mestinon Mestinon TimeSpan CellCept Neurotin ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/25 "2012-01-15T01:20:45Z")
Two meds for hypertension, but my hypertension is largely stress related. I’m hoping if my stress levels are under control within the next 5 years or so, I may only need one. But who knows. I will probably need to start a statin too. I’ve talked to a doc about that. I am on about 8 different supplements, mostly vitamins but a few as preventatives for CVD (which runs in my family). I have insurance (I didn’t until about 6 months ago), but it is high deductible junk insurance. My hypertension meds cost me $5 a month, so I am not bothered by my poor insurance. A statin would probably cost me another $5 a month, not a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/26 "2012-01-15T02:17:33Z")
42, 0 medications. ---
**Author:** ![abbeytxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@abbeytxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abbeytxs)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/27 "2012-01-15T02:23:22Z")
Female, 47, no medications. The last time I had a prescription for anything was for pain meds after a surgery 12 years ago. I rarely take anything otc either. I chalk it up to fortuitous genetics. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/28 "2012-01-15T02:25:49Z")
36 year-old female. I take Lamictal for seizures & folic acid. ---
**Author:** ![DadWagonDriver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@DadWagonDriver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DadWagonDriver)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/29 "2012-01-15T02:29:35Z")
30, male, two for hypertension (losartin-potassium and amlodipine) and one for high cholesterol (simvastatin). ---
**Author:** ![houmildex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7bcc69/32.png) [@houmildex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/houmildex)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/30 "2012-01-15T02:36:24Z")
Female, 52. Been taking synthroid since I was 14. Otherwise healthy. ---
**Author:** ![slm2955](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c6cbf5/32.png) [@slm2955](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slm2955)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/31 "2012-01-15T02:36:59Z")
I’m twenty and so far none… And I want to keep it that way. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/32 "2012-01-15T03:02:07Z")
34, female, zero prescriptions taken regularly. But if I had prescription coverage I’d probably be on one or two for allergies, have an inhaler, and maybe take something for ADHD and/or acid reflux; at the moment everything but ADHD is more or less under control with OTC meds. As it is, the only prescriptions I’ve ever been on in my life are allergy meds (oral and nasal spray), rentin-A, Tylenol 3 (once), and a fair amount of antibiotics. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/33 "2012-01-15T03:12:16Z")
51.9 0 meds male ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/34 "2012-01-15T15:16:30Z")
53 male. No regular meds. I take some meds on a PRN basis but I’m assuming you don’t include meds taken only intermittently / as needed? ---
**Author:** ![RingsOfPylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3da27b/32.png) [@RingsOfPylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RingsOfPylon)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/35 "2012-01-15T15:56:04Z")
Female, 57 years old, no meds. I agree with the OP - it seems kind of rare. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/36 "2012-01-15T15:58:51Z")
32, female. I said 3 - Glucophage for bloodsugar regulation, Zocor for cholesterol and BCP to treat the symptoms of PCOS (and no babies) I’ve been on BCP since I was 13 so it’s curative for me. ---
**Author:** ![CateAyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@CateAyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CateAyo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/37 "2012-01-15T16:10:22Z")
55 Native American male. I have one prescription that i take only rarely for inflammation and pain in my feet from a military injury. I realized how fortunate I was in this regard when I recently took a long weekend with an old friend who is about my age. He had something like 10 or 12 precription meds, one of which he identified as “the pill that keeps me from killing my best friend while he sleeps”. Very reassuring. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/38 "2012-01-15T16:12:18Z")
A month ago I took zero. A couple of weeks ago I asked for and got Trazadone for sleeping, and monday I was prescribed Metformin and Januvia for Diabetes. Won’t continue the Januvia when it’s gone because it’s too damned expensive, but may be given something else. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/39 "2012-01-15T17:00:49Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > I think one determining factor (for the U.S. at least) is whether you have health insurance that pays for meds. The people I know who are on prescription meds regularly all have health insurance that pays for it, or are one some sort of assistance that pays for meds. I can also think of a couple of people who probably should be receiving medical attention/drugs but aren’t because they have no insurance. Eh, if I think medication is truly indicated for someone, I almost always find a way to get them SOMETHING even if my preferred drug isn’t an option because of cost/insurance coverage. A lot of drug companies have charity care programs where you can apply for a free supply of their med. A lot of generic meds can be had for $4 a month at some of the big chains like WalMart and Target. And while samples are harder to come by than they used to be, we do still have some patients who rely on samples. There is usually SOMETHING that can be worked out even if it’s not what I would do in a perfect world, so I do encourage people to be be honest with their doctor if they can’t afford the medication the doctor prescribed. The worst thing is when I prescribe something for a patient and they don’t tell me they never started it because they couldn’t afford it. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535/40 "2012-01-15T17:07:07Z")
48, female, fortunate enough to have wonderful insurance, and I take no medications. My husband, 44, takes oral meds for type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-different-prescription-meds-do-you-take/609535.md?page=3)