JAMA Netw Open

How common is over-the-counter and prescription med use in U.S.?

February 18, 2026

A national survey of 21,000 U.S. adults (mean age, 48 years; 53% female) found that 62.3% used at least one over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medication in the past 7 days. Use increased with age and was higher among female respondents (66.6% vs. 57.3%). Prescription (46.3%) and OTC (46.0%) use were nearly identical. Common OTC products included acetaminophen (29.4%), ibuprofen (22.3%), and aspirin (15.8%), and 6 of the top 10 most‑used medications were OTC. Frequently reported prescription drugs included atorvastatin (6.4%), lisinopril (5.5%), levothyroxine (5.2%), and amlodipine (4.6%).

Clinical takeaway: Encourage patients to disclose their use of OTC medications—including supplements and intermittent therapies—during medication reconciliation to help minimize interaction risks and enhance medication safety.

Source:

Green JL, et al. (2026, February 16). JAMA Netw Open. Prevalence of Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medication Use in the US. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41697701/