The 30 Most Prescribed Drugs in Pediatrics
Updated April 11, 2014.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim or Septra) is an older antibiotic that is most commonly used to treat urinary tract infections, except when resistance might be a problem. It is also being used more often now to treat methicillin-resistant staph aureus infections (MRSA).
A narcotic pain reliever with Tylenol (acetaminophen). The FDA warns that codeine should only be used when the benefits will outweigh the risks, which can include unusual sleepiness, confusion, shallow breathing, and other signs of morphine overdose.
A narcotic pain reliever with Tylenol (acetaminophen) that is more potent than codeine.
Mupirocin (Bactroban) is a topical antibiotic that is often prescribed to treat bacterial skin infections, such as impetigo. Although both mupirocin cream and ointment are both available as generics, mupirocin ointment is considerably less expensive than the cream.
Most parents are familiar with Nystatin, an antifungal medication that is used to treat yeast infections, including thrush and candidal diaper rashes.
Methylphenidate is the generic name for a class of stimulants that are used to treat children with ADHD, and which include Ritalin (generic), Concerta (generic), Daytrana, Methylin, and Metadate, etc.
Prices for methylphenidate products can vary from $30 to $50 for generic, twice a day Ritalin and $185 to $211 for generic, once a day Concerta, to up to $300 for 30 Daytrana patches.
Get a Daytrana coupon.
A combination cough and cold medication, with a cough suppressant, decongestant, and an antihistamine. While this seems like a popular combination cold medicine, it is important to remember that experts warn against using these types of cough and cold medicines in children under age 4 to 6 years. Many also warn against using such combination medicines, instead recommending that you use cold medicines that target your child's symptoms in age-appropriate children. For example, don't use a combination cough and cold syrup if your child just needs a decongestant.
Mometasone is that active ingredient in Nasonex nasal spray, Elocon cream and ointment (generic), and the Asmanex Twisthaler.
While topical Elocon is generic and costs just $63 to 77, Nasonex nasal spray can cost up to $200 per prescription, and Asmanex Twisthaler is typically over $200.
Get a Nasonex coupon or an Asmanex coupon.
Another steroid, triamcinolone is the active ingredient in Nasacort AQ nasal spray (generic) and triamcinolone acetonide cream and ointment (generics).
Triamcinolone acetonide cream (TAC) is one of the least expensive medications to treat eczema flares and other skin rashes, at just $4 at many pharmacies. Nasacort AQ nasal spray is available as a generic for about $140 to $150.
Prednisone is used to treat a number of corticosteroid-responsive disorders in children. It is probably most commonly used in small dosages for short periods of time to treat asthma flares, poison ivy reactions, and croup, etc.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
11. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim or Septra) is an older antibiotic that is most commonly used to treat urinary tract infections, except when resistance might be a problem. It is also being used more often now to treat methicillin-resistant staph aureus infections (MRSA).
12. Codeine phosphate/acetaminophen
A narcotic pain reliever with Tylenol (acetaminophen). The FDA warns that codeine should only be used when the benefits will outweigh the risks, which can include unusual sleepiness, confusion, shallow breathing, and other signs of morphine overdose.
13. Hydrocodone bitartrate/acetaminophen
A narcotic pain reliever with Tylenol (acetaminophen) that is more potent than codeine.
14. Mupirocin
Mupirocin (Bactroban) is a topical antibiotic that is often prescribed to treat bacterial skin infections, such as impetigo. Although both mupirocin cream and ointment are both available as generics, mupirocin ointment is considerably less expensive than the cream.
15. Nystatin
Most parents are familiar with Nystatin, an antifungal medication that is used to treat yeast infections, including thrush and candidal diaper rashes.
16. Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate is the generic name for a class of stimulants that are used to treat children with ADHD, and which include Ritalin (generic), Concerta (generic), Daytrana, Methylin, and Metadate, etc.
Prices for methylphenidate products can vary from $30 to $50 for generic, twice a day Ritalin and $185 to $211 for generic, once a day Concerta, to up to $300 for 30 Daytrana patches.
Get a Daytrana coupon.
17. Dextromethorphan/phenylephrine/chlorpheniramine
A combination cough and cold medication, with a cough suppressant, decongestant, and an antihistamine. While this seems like a popular combination cold medicine, it is important to remember that experts warn against using these types of cough and cold medicines in children under age 4 to 6 years. Many also warn against using such combination medicines, instead recommending that you use cold medicines that target your child's symptoms in age-appropriate children. For example, don't use a combination cough and cold syrup if your child just needs a decongestant.
18. Mometasone
Mometasone is that active ingredient in Nasonex nasal spray, Elocon cream and ointment (generic), and the Asmanex Twisthaler.
While topical Elocon is generic and costs just $63 to 77, Nasonex nasal spray can cost up to $200 per prescription, and Asmanex Twisthaler is typically over $200.
Get a Nasonex coupon or an Asmanex coupon.
19. Triamcinolone
Another steroid, triamcinolone is the active ingredient in Nasacort AQ nasal spray (generic) and triamcinolone acetonide cream and ointment (generics).
Triamcinolone acetonide cream (TAC) is one of the least expensive medications to treat eczema flares and other skin rashes, at just $4 at many pharmacies. Nasacort AQ nasal spray is available as a generic for about $140 to $150.
20. Prednisone
Prednisone is used to treat a number of corticosteroid-responsive disorders in children. It is probably most commonly used in small dosages for short periods of time to treat asthma flares, poison ivy reactions, and croup, etc.
