Top 200 drugs — 2026 edition

Updated August 3, 2026

Ranked by real US prescription volume — ClinCalc DrugStats Database — The Top 200 of 2023 — with names, classes, and DEA schedules verified against RxNorm on 2026-08-03. 200 rows, every one sourced.

200 drugs shown

		Brand names		DEA
1	atorvastatin	Atorvaliq, Caduet, Lipitor	HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor
2	metformin	Actoplus Met, Glucophage, Glumetza	Biguanide
3	levothyroxine	Ermeza, Euthyrox, Levo-T	l-Thyroxine
4	lisinopril	Prinivil, Qbrelis, Zestoretic	Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor
5	amlodipine	Azor, Caduet, Consensi	Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker
6	metoprolol	Kapspargo, Lopressor, Lopressor HCT	beta-Adrenergic Blocker
7	albuterol	Airsupra, Combivent, ProAir	beta2-Adrenergic Agonist
8	losartan	Arbli, Cozaar, Hyzaar	Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker
9	gabapentin	Gabarone, Gralise, Horizant	Gabapentinoid (anticonvulsant / neuropathic pain agent)
10	omeprazole	Gastrobim, Konvomep, Prilosec	Proton Pump Inhibitor
11	sertraline	Zoloft	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
12	rosuvastatin	Crestor, Ezallor, Roszet	HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor
13	pantoprazole	Protonix	Proton Pump Inhibitor
14	escitalopram	Lexapro	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
15	dextroamphetamine / dextroamphetamine saccharate / amphetamine / amphetamine aspartate	Adderall, Mydayis	Central Nervous System Stimulant (amphetamine mixed salts)	C-C-II
16	hydrochlorothiazide	Accuretic, Aldactazide, Atacand HCT	Thiazide Diuretic
17	bupropion	Aplenzin, Auvelity, Contrave	Aminoketone
18	fluoxetine	Prozac, RECONCILE, Symbyax	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
19	semaglutide	Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy	GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
20	montelukast	Singulair	Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist
21	trazodone	Raldesy	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
22	simvastatin	Flolipid, Vytorin, Zocor	HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor
23	amoxicillin	Amoxi Drop, Amoxi-tabs, Augmentin	Penicillin-class Antibacterial
24	tamsulosin	Flomax, Jalyn	alpha-Adrenergic Blocker
25	acetaminophen / hydrocodone	Hycet, Norco, Verdrocet	Opioid Agonist	C-C-II
26	fluticasone	Advair, AirDuo, Aller-Flo	Corticosteroid
27	meloxicam	Alloxate, Anjeso, Loxicom	Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug
28	apixaban	Eliquis	Factor Xa Inhibitor
29	furosemide	Disal, Furoscix, Lasix	Loop Diuretic
30	insulin glargine	Basaglar, Lantus, Rezvoglar	Insulin Analog
31	duloxetine	Cymbalta, Drizalma, Irenka	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
32	ibuprofen	Addaprin, Advil, Caldolor	Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug
33	famotidine	Calmicid, Duexis, Duo Fusion	Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonist
34	empagliflozin	Glyxambi, Jardiance, Synjardy	Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor
35	carvedilol	Coreg	alpha-Adrenergic Blocker
36	tramadol	ConZip, Qdolo, Seglentis	Opioid Agonist	C-C-IV
37	alprazolam	Xanax	Benzodiazepine	C-C-IV
38	prednisone	Deltasone, Rayos	Corticosteroid
39	hydroxyzine	Vistaril	Antihistamine
40	buspirone	Bucapsol, Buspar	Anxiolytic (serotonin 5-HT1A partial agonist)
41	clopidogrel	Plavix	P2Y12 Platelet Inhibitor
42	glipizide	Glucotrol	Sulfonylurea
43	citalopram	Celexa	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
44	potassium chloride	Aminosyn 8.5 % with Electrolytes, Sulfite-Free, Aminosyn II 8.5 % with Electrolytes, Sulfite-Free, BSS Ophthalmic Solution	Potassium supplement (electrolyte)
45	allopurinol	Aloprim, Zyloprim	Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor
46	aspirin	Alka-Seltzer, Anacin, Anacin Advanced Headache Formula	Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor
47	cyclobenzaprine	Amrix, Fexmid, Tonmya	Muscle Relaxant
48	ergocalciferol	Calcidol, Drisdol	Provitamin D2 Compound
49	oxycodone	Endocet, Nalocet, Oxaydo	Opioid Agonist	C-C-II
50	methylphenidate	Aptensio, Concerta, Cotempla	Central Nervous System Stimulant	C-C-II
51	venlafaxine	Effexor	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
52	spironolactone	Aldactazide, Aldactone, Cardalis	Aldosterone Antagonist
53	ondansetron	generic only	Serotonin-3 Receptor Antagonist
54	zolpidem	Ambien, Edluar	gamma-Aminobutyric Acid A Receptor Positive Modulator	C-C-IV
55	cetirizine	Aller-Tec, Aller-Tec D, Alleroff	Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist
56	estradiol	Alora, Bijuva, Climara	Estrogen
57	pravastatin	Pravachol	HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor
58	hydrochlorothiazide / lisinopril	Zestoretic	Thiazide Diuretic
59	lamotrigine	Lamictal, Subvenite	Mood Stabilizer
60	quetiapine	Seroquel	Atypical Antipsychotic
61	fluticasone / salmeterol	Advair, AirDuo, Wixela	beta2-Adrenergic Agonist
62	clonazepam	Klonopin	Benzodiazepine	C-C-IV
63	dulaglutide	Trulicity	GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
64	azithromycin	AzaSite, Zithromax	Macrolide Antimicrobial
65	hydrochlorothiazide / losartan	Hyzaar	Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker
66	amoxicillin / clavulanate	Augmentin, Betacilin, Clavacillin	Penicillin-class Antibacterial + beta-lactamase inhibitor
67	latanoprost	Iyuzeh, Rocklatan, Xalatan	Prostaglandin Analog
68	cholecalciferol	Animi-3 with Vitamin D, Cal-Quick, Calcet	Vitamin D
69	propranolol	Hemangeol, Inderal, InnoPran	beta-Adrenergic Blocker
70	ezetimibe	Nexlizet, Roszet, Vytorin	Dietary Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor
71	topiramate	Eprontia, Qsymia, Qudexy	Anti-epileptic agent (sulfamate anticonvulsant)
72	paroxetine	Brisdelle, Paxil	Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor
73	diclofenac	Aleve Arthritis Pain, Arthrotec, Cambia	Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug
74	budesonide / formoterol	Breyna, Symbicort	Corticosteroid
75	atenolol	Tenoretic, Tenormin	beta-Adrenergic Blocker
76	lisdexamfetamine	Arynta, Vyvanse	Central Nervous System Stimulant	C-C-II
77	doxycycline	Acticlate, Adoxa, Alodox	Tetracycline-class Drug
78	pregabalin	Bonqat, Lyrica	Gabapentinoid (anticonvulsant / neuropathic pain agent)	C-C-V
79	ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone	Femhrt, Fyavolv, Jevantique	Estrogen
80	glimepiride	Amaryl, Duetact	Sulfonylurea
81	tizanidine	Ontralfy, Zanaflex	Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist
82	clonidine	Catapres, Duraclon, Javadin	Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist
83	fenofibrate	Antara, Fenoglide, Fibricor	Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor alpha Agonist
84	insulin lispro	Admelog, Humalog, Humalog Mix	Insulin Analog
85	valsartan	Byvalson, Diovan, Diovan HCT	Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker
86	cephalexin	Keflex, Rilexine	Cephalosporin Antibacterial
87	baclofen	Fleqsuvy, Gablofen, Lioresal	gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-ergic Agonist
88	rivaroxaban	Xarelto	Factor Xa Inhibitor
89	ferrous sulfate	Feosol, Fer-in-Sol, Folitab	Iron supplement
90	amitriptyline	Elavil	Tricyclic Antidepressant
91	finasteride	Entadfi, Propecia, Proscar	5-alpha Reductase Inhibitor
92	dapagliflozin	Farxiga, Qtern, Xigduo	Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor
93	acetaminophen / oxycodone	Endocet, Nalocet, Percocet	Opioid Agonist	C-C-II
94	folic acid	Animi-3 with Vitamin D, Concept OB, Dialyvite 800	Vitamin B9 supplement
95	aripiprazole	Abilify, Opipza	Atypical Antipsychotic
96	olmesartan	Azor, Benicar, Benicar HCT	Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker
97	ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate	generic only	Progestin
98	valacyclovir	Valtrex	Herpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor
99	mirtazapine	Mirataz, Remeron	Tetracyclic antidepressant (alpha-2 antagonist)
100	lorazepam	Ativan, Loreev	Benzodiazepine	C-C-IV
101	levetiracetam	Elepsia, Keppra, Roweepra	Anti-epileptic agent
102	insulin aspart	Fiasp, Kirsty, Merilog	Insulin Analog
103	naproxen	Aleve, Aleve PM, Anaprox	Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug
104	cyanocobalamin	Animi-3 with Vitamin D, Concept OB, Dodex	Vitamin B12
105	loratadine	Alavert, Alavert D, Allerclear	Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist (second-generation)
106	diltiazem	Cardizem, Cartia, Dilt	Calcium Channel Blocker
107	sumatriptan	Imitrex, Onzetra, Tosymra	Serotonin-1b and Serotonin-1d Receptor Agonist
108	triamcinolone	Aller-Cort, AllerNaze, Genesis	Corticosteroid
109	hydralazine	Bidil	Arteriolar Vasodilator
110	tirzepatide	Mounjaro, Zepbound	GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
111	celecoxib	Celebrex, Consensi, Elyxyb	Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug
112	acetaminophen	Acephen, Acetadryl, Allzital	Analgesic / antipyretic
113	alendronate	Binosto, Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D	Bisphosphonate
114	oxybutynin	Ditropan, Gelnique, Oxytrol	Cholinergic Muscarinic Antagonist
115	hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene	Dyazide, Maxzide	Potassium-sparing Diuretic
116	warfarin	Coumadin, Jantoven	Vitamin K Antagonist
117	progesterone	Bijuva, Crinone, Eazi-Breed CIDR	Progesterone
118	fluticasone / umeclidinium / vilanterol	Trelegy	Inhaled corticosteroid + LAMA + LABA (triple therapy)
119	testosterone	Androderm, Androgel, Aveed	Androgen	C-C-III
120	nifedipine	Afeditab CR, Procardia	Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker
121	methocarbamol	Atmeksi, Robaxin, Tanlor	Muscle Relaxant
122	benzonatate	Tessalon Perles	Non-narcotic Antitussive
123	sitagliptin	Brynovin, Janumet, Januvia	Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor
124	chlorthalidone	Edarbyclor, Hemiclor, Tenoretic	Thiazide-like Diuretic
125	isosorbide	generic only	Nitrate Vasodilator
126	donepezil	Adlarity, Aricept, Namzaric	Cholinesterase Inhibitor
127	dexmethylphenidate	Azstarys, Focalin	Central Nervous System Stimulant	C-C-II
128	sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim	Bactrim, Sulfatrim	Sulfonamide Antimicrobial
129	clobetasol	Byqlovi, Clobex, Clodan	Corticosteroid
130	methotrexate	Jylamvo, Otrexup, Rasuvo	Folate Analog Metabolic Inhibitor
131	hydroxychloroquine	Plaquenil, Sovuna	Antimalarial
132	lovastatin	Altoprev	HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor
133	pioglitazone	Actoplus Met, Actos, Duetact	Thiazolidinedione (PPAR-gamma agonist)
134	irbesartan	Avalide, Avapro	Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker
135	methylprednisolone	Depo-Medrol, HybriSil, Medrol	Corticosteroid
136	norethindrone	Aygestin, Combipatch, Femhrt	Progestin
137	meclizine	Antivert, Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy	Antiemetic
138	ethinyl estradiol / levonorgestrel	Twirla	Estrogen
139	fluticasone / vilanterol	Breo	beta2-Adrenergic Agonist
140	ketoconazole	Extina, Keto-C, Ketochlor	Azole Antifungal
141	thyroid	Adthyza, Amerithroid, Armour Thyroid	Thyroid hormone (desiccated T4/T3)
142	azelastine	Astepro, Dymista	Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist
143	nitrofurantoin	Furadantin, Macrobid, Macrodantin	Nitrofuran Antibacterial
144	adalimumab	Abrilada, Amjevita, Cyltezo	Tumor Necrosis Factor Blocker
145	memantine	Namenda, Namzaric	N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Antagonist
146	prednisolone	Blephamide, Cortamine, MILLIPRED	Corticosteroid
147	esomeprazole	Nexium, Vimovo	Proton Pump Inhibitor
148	docusate	Colace, Colace w/Sennosides, Doculase	Emollient laxative (stool softener)
149	clindamycin	Acanya, ANTIROBE, Cabtreo	Lincosamide Antibacterial
150	acyclovir	Avaclyr, Sitavig, Xerese	Herpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor
151	sildenafil	Liqrev, Revatio, Viagra	Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitor
152	insulin degludec	Tresiba, Xultophy	Insulin Analog
153	insulin detemir	Levemir	Insulin Analog
154	drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol	generic only	Progestin
155	ciprofloxacin	Cetraxal, Ciloxan, Cipro	Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial
156	morphine	Duramorph, Infumorph, Kadian	Opioid Agonist	C-C-II
157	insulin human / insulin isophane human	Humulin, Novolin	Human insulin (regular / NPH 70-30 mix)
158	levocetirizine	Xyzal	Histamine-1 Receptor Antagonist
159	nirmatrelvir / ritonavir	generic only	SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor + pharmacokinetic booster
160	valproate	Depakote	Mood Stabilizer
161	atomoxetine	Atoncy, Strattera	Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
162	budesonide	Airsupra, Breyna, Breztri	Corticosteroid
163	tiotropium	Spiriva, Stiolto	Anticholinergic
164	melatonin	Melatonex, Restone, Somnicin	Dietary supplement (sleep)
165	cefdinir	generic only	Cephalosporin Antibacterial
166	doxepin	Prudoxin, Silenor, Zonalon	Tricyclic Antidepressant
167	olanzapine	Lybalvi, Symbyax, Zyprexa	Atypical Antipsychotic
168	phentermine	Adipex-P, Lomaira, Qsymia	Sympathomimetic Amine Anorectic	C-C-IV
169	ofloxacin	Ocuflox	Quinolone Antimicrobial
170	ethinyl estradiol / etonogestrel	EluRyng, Enilloring, Haloette	Progestin
171	mupirocin	Bactroban, Centany, Muricin	RNA Synthetase Inhibitor Antibacterial
172	benazepril	Cardalis, Lotensin, Lotensin HCT	Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor
173	timolol	Betimol, Combigan, Cosopt	beta-Adrenergic Blocker
174	magnesium salts	generic only	Magnesium supplement (electrolyte / laxative salts)
175	fluconazole	Diflucan	Azole Antifungal
176	risperidone	Perseris, Risperdal, Rykindo	Atypical Antipsychotic
177	verapamil	Calan, Isoptin, Verelan	Calcium Channel Blocker
178	linaclotide	Linzess	Guanylate Cyclase-C Agonist
179	cyclosporine	Atopica, Cequa, Cyclavance	Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant
180	doxazosin	Cardura	alpha-Adrenergic Blocker
181	albuterol / ipratropium	Combivent	beta2-Adrenergic Agonist
182	hydrocortisone	Ala-Cort, Ala-Scalp, Alcortin	Corticosteroid
183	diazepam	Diastat, Libervant, Valium	Benzodiazepine	C-C-IV
184	telmisartan	Micardis, Micardis-HCT, Semintra	Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker
185	carbamazepine	Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro	Anti-epileptic agent
186	amlodipine / benazepril	Lotrel	Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker
187	lithium	generic only	Mood stabilizer
188	evolocumab	Repatha	PCSK9 Inhibitor
189	desvenlafaxine	Khedezla, Pristiq	Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
190	dorzolamide	Cosopt	Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor
191	nebivolol	Bystolic, Byvalson	beta-Adrenergic Blocker
192	dicyclomine	Bentyl	Anticholinergic
193	torsemide	Soaanz, Upcard	Loop Diuretic
194	anastrozole	Arimidex	Aromatase Inhibitor
195	enalapril	Epaned, Vaseretic, Vasotec	Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor
196	polyethylene glycol 3350	ClearLax, Comfortlax, Dulcolax Osmotic	Osmotic Laxative
197	tretinoin	Altreno, Atralin, Avita	Retinoid
198	tadalafil	Adcirca, Alyq, Cialis	Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitor
199	sacubitril / valsartan	Entresto	Neprilysin inhibitor + Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker (ARNI)
200	calcium	generic only	Calcium supplement

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Printable top-200 list

A clean laminate-style PDF: rank, brand, generic, class, and schedule columns, grouped for shelf study.

Name patterns that unlock whole classes

Suffix	Class	Example on this list
-pril	ACE inhibitor	lisinopril
-sartan	ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker)	losartan
-olol	Beta blocker	metoprolol
-dipine	Calcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine)	amlodipine
-statin	HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor	rosuvastatin
-prazole	Proton pump inhibitor	pantoprazole
-tidine	H2 blocker	famotidine
-azole	Azole antifungal	fluconazole
-floxacin	Fluoroquinolone antibiotic	ciprofloxacin
-cillin	Penicillin-class antibiotic	amoxicillin
-cycline	Tetracycline-class antibiotic	doxycycline
-triptan	Serotonin agonist (migraine)	sumatriptan
-gliptin	DPP-4 inhibitor (diabetes)	sitagliptin
-glutide	GLP-1 receptor agonist	semaglutide
-gliflozin	SGLT2 inhibitor	empagliflozin
-setron	5-HT3 antiemetic	ondansetron
-pam / -lam	Benzodiazepine	lorazepam
-osin	Alpha-1 blocker (BPH)	tamsulosin
-lukast	Leukotriene receptor antagonist	montelukast
-dronate	Bisphosphonate	alendronate

Source: Cross-checked against the RxNorm/RxClass-verified top-200 dataset · verified 2026-08-03

Common questions

Which top-200 list should I study for the PTCB?

One built from real prescription volume — this list ranks drugs by actual US prescriptions dispensed (2023data, the most recent published year), cross-checked against RxNorm for names and classes. A list without a stated source and year is somebody’s guess.

Do I need to know all 200 drugs?

Prioritize the top 100 — prescription volume is heavily front-loaded, so the first hundred cover most of what you’ll dispense and most of what exams sample. Use the “Top 100 only” toggle above, master those, then extend. Suffix patterns (below) make the second hundred cheap to learn.

Brand or generic — which does the exam test?

Both directions. Questions ask for the generic of a brand, the brand of a generic, and interactions that mix the two. Study with the quiz-me toggles above — hide one column, recall it, check yourself — rather than reading pairs passively.

How many top-200 questions are on the PTCE?

Drug knowledge lives in the Medications domain — 35% of the exam, about 28 scored questions — covering names, classes, indications, interactions, and storage, not just top-200 recall. The 17 DEA-scheduled drugs on this list also feed Federal Requirements items.

What's the best way to memorize the top 200?

Classes first, names second: the suffix table below turns one pattern into ten drugs. Then daily short sessions with the quiz-me toggles, and a weekly check on the Medications quiz to find what’s not sticking.