The 10 Most Prescribed Medications for Adults Over 60
The 10 Most Prescribed Medications for Adults Over 60 — What They Treat, What They Cost, and What Your Doctor May Not Be Telling You
By The Bold & The Wise Editorial Team Monday, April 21, 2026 · 10 min read Categories: Health, Medications, Life & Transition
If you are over 60 there is a very good chance at least one of the medications in this article is currently sitting in your medicine cabinet. The statistics are striking. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 89 percent of adults aged 65 and older take at least one prescription medication and 54 percent take four or more. For many people the total number of daily pills is somewhere between five and ten.
That is not inherently alarming. Modern medications have extended life expectancies dramatically and made chronic conditions entirely manageable in ways that would have been impossible a generation ago. But it does mean that understanding what you are actually putting into your body — what it does, what it costs, what alternatives exist, and what your doctor may not have fully explained — is one of the most valuable forms of self advocacy available to you.
This is not a substitute for medical advice. Never stop or change a medication without consulting your prescribing physician. But it is a clear, honest guide to the ten most commonly prescribed medications for adults over 60 — what you should know, what to ask, and how to save money in the process.
How Medication Costs Actually Work in 2026
Before we get into the specific medications a quick note on pricing that will save you money on every prescription for the rest of your life.
The price your pharmacy quotes is rarely the best price available. Three resources consistently beat standard pharmacy pricing:
GoodRx is a free app and website that shows you the discounted cash price at every pharmacy near you. Often 60 to 90 percent off standard pricing. Use it every single time.
Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs is an online pharmacy that sells generic medications at the actual manufacturer price plus a flat 15 percent markup plus shipping. For many medications this is the absolute lowest price available in America.
Your insurance formulary is the list of drugs your plan covers and at what tier. If your medication is on a higher tier ask your doctor if there is a therapeutically equivalent drug on a lower tier.
Keep those three resources in mind as you read the prices below. The numbers I am giving are ballpark figures for the generic version at average cash pricing.
1. Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
What it treats: High cholesterol. Specifically it lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while modestly raising HDL cholesterol. Statins are prescribed both for people with elevated cholesterol and for people with a history of heart disease, stroke, or high cardiovascular risk.
How common: Atorvastatin is the most prescribed medication in the United States with over 112 million prescriptions filled annually. Roughly one in three adults over 60 takes a statin.
Approximate cost: $4 to $15 per month for the generic.
What your doctor may not be telling you: Statins work — the evidence base is enormous and they genuinely reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people at meaningful cardiovascular risk. However they also cause muscle pain and weakness in roughly 10 to 15 percent of users, a side effect that is significantly underreported. If you have started experiencing unexplained muscle aches since beginning a statin, tell your doctor. Switching to a different statin often resolves the issue. Also worth knowing: CoQ10 supplementation has some evidence for reducing statin related muscle pain though the research remains mixed.
2. Lisinopril
What it treats: High blood pressure and heart failure. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that relaxes blood vessels making it easier for the heart to pump blood and reducing the workload on the cardiovascular system.
How common: Over 100 million prescriptions annually in the US.
Approximate cost: $4 to $10 per month for the generic.
What your doctor may not be telling you: Lisinopril causes a persistent dry cough in roughly 10 to 15 percent of users. The cough often does not start until weeks or even months after beginning the medication so people frequently do not connect it to the drug. If you have developed a nagging dry cough and are on lisinopril, that is almost certainly the cause. Angiotensin receptor blockers or ARBs are an alternative class of medications that work similarly without this side effect and your doctor can easily switch you if needed.
3. Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
What it treats: Hypothyroidism — an underactive thyroid. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, energy, temperature, and dozens of other body functions. When it underproduces, levothyroxine replaces what the body is not making.
How common: The third most prescribed drug in the US with over 100 million prescriptions annually. Roughly one in eight women over 60 takes thyroid medication.
Approximate cost: $4 to $12 per month for the generic.
What your doctor may not be telling you: Levothyroxine must be taken on an empty stomach, with water, at least 30 minutes before eating or taking any other medications or supplements — particularly calcium, iron, and antacids. Taking it any other way significantly reduces absorption. Many people unknowingly take it with their morning coffee and breakfast, which dramatically cuts effectiveness. Also worth asking your doctor: whether generic levothyroxine is appropriate for you or whether brand name Synthroid is medically justified. The FDA considers them bioequivalent but a minority of patients notice differences.
4. Metformin
What it treats: Type 2 diabetes. Metformin reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver and improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
How common: Over 90 million prescriptions annually. It is the first line treatment for type 2 diabetes worldwide.
Approximate cost: $4 to $15 per month for the generic.
What your doctor may not be telling you: Metformin can cause significant gastrointestinal side effects — nausea, diarrhea, cramping — particularly when first started. The extended release formulation of metformin causes these side effects at dramatically lower rates. If you are taking standard metformin and experiencing digestive issues ask your doctor about switching to metformin extended release. Also: long term metformin use can reduce vitamin B12 absorption. Ask your doctor to check your B12 levels annually and supplement if needed.
5. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
What it treats: High blood pressure and chest pain from coronary artery disease. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels.
How common: Over 80 million prescriptions annually.
Approximate cost: $4 to $12 per month for the generic.
What your doctor may not be telling you: Amlodipine commonly causes ankle and leg swelling — the medical term is peripheral edema — in roughly 10 to 15 percent of users. This often gets misdiagnosed as heart failure or kidney problems when it is actually just the medication. If you are on amlodipine and have developed swelling in your lower legs this is almost certainly the cause. Alternative blood pressure medications that do not cause this side effect are readily available.
6. Omeprazole (Prilosec)
What it treats: Gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach ulcers, and various acid related digestive conditions. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces stomach acid production.
How common: Over 60 million prescriptions annually, plus enormous over the counter sales.
Approximate cost: $4 to $15 per month for the generic.
What your doctor may not be telling you: Proton pump inhibitors are one of the most overprescribed classes of medications in America. They were designed for short term use — typically 4 to 8 weeks — but millions of people take them for years or decades. Long term use is associated with vitamin B12 deficiency, magnesium deficiency, increased risk of bone fractures, and increased risk of certain infections. If you have been on omeprazole for more than a few months talk to your doctor about whether you still need it and consider gradual discontinuation under medical supervision.
7. Losartan
What it treats: High blood pressure and kidney protection in people with diabetes. Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker or ARB.
How common: Over 60 million prescriptions annually.
Approximate cost: $5 to $18 per month for the generic.
What your doctor may not be telling you: Losartan is often used as an alternative to lisinopril for people who develop the persistent cough on ACE inhibitors. It is equally effective for blood pressure and offers similar cardiovascular protection. If you have been on losartan for years it may be worth periodically reassessing whether your dose is still optimal for your current weight, kidney function, and overall cardiovascular risk profile.
8. Albuterol
What it treats: Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Albuterol is a rescue inhaler that rapidly relaxes airway muscles to restore breathing during an attack.
How common: Over 50 million prescriptions annually.
Approximate cost: $30 to $70 per inhaler for the generic. This is one of the more expensive common medications.
What your doctor may not be telling you: If you are using a rescue inhaler more than twice a week your asthma or COPD is not well controlled and you likely need a daily maintenance medication — typically an inhaled corticosteroid or combination controller inhaler. Rescue inhalers are meant for emergencies, not daily symptom management. Over reliance on rescue inhalers is associated with worse long term outcomes.
9. Gabapentin
What it treats: Originally approved for seizures but now widely prescribed for nerve pain, restless legs syndrome, and a variety of off label uses including anxiety and chronic pain.
How common: Over 40 million prescriptions annually.
Approximate cost: $4 to $20 per month for the generic depending on dosage.
What your doctor may not be telling you: Gabapentin is prescribed for an enormous range of off label uses — many of which are not strongly supported by evidence. It also causes significant side effects in older adults including dizziness, falls, confusion, and drowsiness. If you are over 65 and on gabapentin ask your doctor specifically what it is treating and whether the evidence supports that use. For chronic pain in particular the evidence base is weaker than many people realize.
10. Hydrochlorothiazide
What it treats: High blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that reduces blood pressure by increasing urination and reducing fluid volume.
How common: Over 40 million prescriptions annually.
Approximate cost: $4 to $10 per month for the generic.
What your doctor may not be telling you: Hydrochlorothiazide can cause electrolyte imbalances — particularly low potassium and low sodium — that become increasingly risky with age. These imbalances often do not produce obvious symptoms until they are quite severe. If you are on hydrochlorothiazide your doctor should be checking your electrolytes at least annually. Also worth knowing: thiazide diuretics significantly increase the risk of skin cancer particularly squamous cell carcinoma with long term use. If you are fair skinned or have significant sun exposure history this is worth discussing with your doctor.
Five Questions Worth Asking Your Doctor at Your Next Visit
Whatever medications you are on, here are five questions that consistently produce useful information:
- What is this medication treating and how do we know it is working?
- What are the most common side effects I might experience?
- Is this medication on my insurance plan’s formulary and what tier?
- Is there a therapeutically equivalent generic available?
- Would this medication interact with any supplements or over the counter products I take?
Bring a complete list of everything you take — prescription, over the counter, vitamins, supplements — to every appointment. Pharmacists are also an underused resource. Most are delighted to spend time answering medication questions.
Practical Tools for Managing Medications
Pill organizers with compartments for each day of the week dramatically reduce missed doses and accidental double doses. The most highly rated options on Amazon run $12 to $25.
Medication reminder apps on your phone — Medisafe, MyMeds, and CareClinic are among the most popular — send you notifications when it is time to take each medication and track your adherence.
Automatic pill dispensers like Hero and Pivotell are more substantial investments at $50 to $500 but are genuinely useful for people on complex medication regimens or for families managing medications for aging parents.
GoodRx’s mobile app should be on the phone of every single person over 60. Before you pay for any prescription check GoodRx first.
The Most Important Thing
Take an active interest in your own medications. Know what you take, know why you take it, know what it costs, and know what the alternatives are.
The best outcomes in medicine come when the patient is a full participant in their own care. You have spent a lifetime developing good judgment. Apply that judgment to your medications as rigorously as you would to any other significant decision in your life.
Your doctor is an expert. But you are the one living in this body. Trust the partnership between the two.
Next Monday on The Bold & The Wise: The Hidden Emotional Cost of Caregiving — What Adult Children of Aging Parents Need to Know About Their Own Wellbeing.
Resources Mentioned in This Article
- GoodRx prescription comparison: goodrx.com
- Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs: costplusdrugs.com
- Medisafe medication reminder app: medisafeapp.com
- National Institute on Aging medication guide: nia.nih.gov
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