# How many prescribed medications do you take? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2013, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392 "2013-05-26T11:52:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/21 "2013-05-26T19:31:16Z")
I’m taking five prescription meds plus two OTC on my physician’s advice. I take one for my blood pressure, one for cholesterol control, and three related to my diabetes. Two are by injection and one is oral. On my doctor’s advice, I also take one 81mg aspirin tablet and 2000 units of Vitamin D daily. ---
**Author:** ![ptr2void](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ptr2void/32/3406_2.png) [@ptr2void](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ptr2void)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/22 "2013-05-26T19:54:18Z")
> [@UncaStuart](#): > > Zero until I hit 56 and was diagnosed with ideopathic atrial fibrilation. That brought in a heavy dose of flecainide (that three ablations over the years has reduced a bit). Then at 60 the type II diabetes appeared, with its attendant glucophage. And then the statin. So at 65 I’m holding a three for the time being. Surprised you’re not on Coumadin for the atrial fibrillation. Or have they gone away from that? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/23 "2013-05-26T19:56:18Z")
Two. Januvia + Metformin for Type II Diabetes. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/24 "2013-05-26T21:32:53Z")
> [@ptr2void](#): > > Surprised you’re not on Coumadin for the atrial fibrillation. Or have they gone away from that? Coumadin (warfarin) is still pretty standard therapy for **most** types of patients with **most** types of afib. BUT depending on risk analysis of certain folks with certain forms of afib, some folks are only treated with aspirin. And newer anticoagulants are being used too. But their long-term effectiveness has not yet been clearly determined. ---
**Author:** ![ptr2void](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ptr2void/32/3406_2.png) [@ptr2void](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ptr2void)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/25 "2013-05-27T00:11:34Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Coumadin (warfarin) is still pretty standard therapy for **most** types of patients with **most** types of afib. > > BUT depending on risk analysis of certain folks with certain forms of afib, some folks are only treated with aspirin. > > And newer anticoagulants are being used too. But their long-term effectiveness has not yet been clearly determined. Thanks, Qadgop! Spent a long time in the cardiology field when I was younger, and any one with even paroxysmal a-fib was on Coumadin at that time. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/26 "2013-05-27T01:02:03Z")
A diuretic for my BP, a pill for triglycerides, and eyedrops for glaucoma. ---
**Author:** ![LibrarySpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f9ae1b/32.png) [@LibrarySpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LibrarySpy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/27 "2013-05-27T01:35:51Z")
Three: Birth control, Celexa, and Seroquel to treat the insomnia Celexa causes. I hate having to take a drug to treat another drug… ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/28 "2013-05-27T01:42:28Z")
I have Ativan which I take on an as needed basis…maybe once or twice a month. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/29 "2013-05-27T01:59:25Z")
One, for epilepsy. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/30 "2013-05-27T02:57:24Z")
I have to take a 30mg Prevacid every day. That’s a strong antacid. I _think_ those are prescription in the West, but they’re available over the counter here, and my doctor told me just to go buy them. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/31 "2013-05-27T03:23:56Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Two. Januvia + Metformin for Type II Diabetes. :smack: Forgot the Trazedone. For sleeping, not really a medical condition per se. I suppose it would be four if I count the ‘recommended’ daily aspirin, since it is listed under ‘prescriptions’ on my on-line chart. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/32 "2013-05-27T11:39:20Z")
Eight: 2 for blood pressure 1 for cholesterol 1 for triglycerides 1 for prostate (actually 2 meds, alternating) 1 for depression Insulin Testosterone (1 shot every 14 days) I think some of us with higher numbers are also older. I didn’t take any on a regular basis until my late 40s. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/33 "2013-05-27T13:27:12Z")
I take one, but it’s just DHEA, which is not over the counter in Canada. I take a lot of over the counter medication/vitamins as well though. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/34 "2013-05-27T14:33:03Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > It is easy to be on five necessary meds these days. > > Since diabetes frequently comes bundled with hypertension and high lipids, it is common to be on metformin and glyburide for the diabetes, an ACE inhibitor for renal protection, a beta blocker for BP and cardioprotection, and a statin for lipids. > > I often see patients on more than a dozen Rx meds. You pretty much just described my meds. Metformin, statin, ace inhibitor (for BP), diuretic (also BP), another BP med and a reflux med. Luckily I’m one of those people who has a high tolerance for these things and have few side effects that I’m aware of. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/35 "2013-05-27T14:40:45Z")
Hmmm… if you add together the number of prescription medications for me, my husband, and all of my four children the answer would be… zero. ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/36 "2013-05-27T15:41:17Z")
Since I go to the VA and they are really big on passing out pills (9 for me) I had to go with 5 or more. But I am 66 so it could be a lot worse. But five of them are pretty low tech pills: aspirin, Vitamins A and D, Niacin, Fish Oil. Three of the remaining four are for relatively minor issues. The only one I wouldn’t do without is the one for acid reflux. I didn’t take any meds on a regular basis until about 55. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/37 "2013-05-27T16:03:10Z")
I’m on one daily - Levothyroxine. I’ve had my thyroid removed so that’s for the rest of my life. I have an antihistamine I use occasionally and Maxalt for migraines Which fortunately I only need about once every 4 months.I’m almost 52, so that’s not bad. ETA: It’s been almost 45 years since I’ve had an antibiotic, unless they gave them IV when I’ve had surgery. StG ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/38 "2013-05-27T17:37:47Z")
The Pill, and Paxil for my wonky brain. Currently dodging the Metformin via diet and exercise. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/39 "2013-05-27T19:07:04Z")
Paxil for OCD. Lamictal and Zonegran for epilepsy. It amounts to ten pills a day. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392/40 "2013-05-27T19:16:26Z")
> [@Ferret\_Herder](#): > > Zero unless you count medicinal implants (Mirena), then one. Ditto. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-prescribed-medications-do-you-take/659392.md?page=3)