Unfortunately, prescription drug abuse is common—for some drugs much more than others. Here, GEN has compiled the 14 that top the list. [Andrew S. - Fotolia.com]
#7. Lunesta® (eszopiclone)
Maker of brand-name drug: Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma
2011 sales: $511 million (¥42.1 billion)2
2010 sales: $654 million (¥53.9 billion)2
% Change: -21.9%
Indication: Insomnia in adults
Year(s) of launch/Patent status: Launched 2005 by Sepracor; patent to expire 2014.
#6. Adderall XR (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine)
Maker of brand-name drug: Shire
2011 sales: $533 million
2010 sales: $361 million
% Change: 47.6%
Indication: Once-daily central nervous system stimulant for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Year(s) of launch/Patent status: Launched 2001; patent expired 2009. Authorized generic versions entered market 2009; generic versions available from Eon, Ranbaxy, and Teva. On June 25, 2012, Actavis received FDA approval for generic extended-release formulations of all available strengths of Adderall.
#5. Ritalin / Focalin (methylphenidate HCl)
Maker of brand-name drug: Novartis
2011 sales: $550 million
2010 sales: $464 million
% Change: 18.5%
Indication: Central nervous system stimulant for treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy
Year(s) of launch/Patent status: Launched 1948 by predecessor company Ciba; patent expired 1967. Authorized generic versions available.
#4. Zoloft (sertraline HCl)
Maker of brand-name drug: Pfizer
2011 sales: $573 million
2010 sales: $532 million
% Change: 7.7%
Indication: Major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and social anxiety disorder; OCD in children and adolescents aged 6–17 years
Year(s) of launch/Patent status: Launched 1991; Patent expired 2006. Authorized generic versions available.
#3. Ambien (zolpidem tartrate)
Maker of brand-name drug: Sanofi (also sold as Ambien CR, Stilnox, and Myslee)
2011 sales: $635 million (€490 million)2
2010 sales: $1.062 billion (€819 million)2
% Change: -40.2% reported basis; -41.4% at constant exchange rates
Indication: Insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance
Year(s) of launch/Patent status: Original formulation launched 1993; patent expired 2007. Ambien CR (extended-release formulation) launched 2005; patent to expire 2020. Authorized generic versions available; 13 generic versions have been approved by FDA including one by Sanofi.
#2. Concerta (methylphenidate HCl)
Maker of brand-name drug: Janssen Pharmaceuticals
2011 sales: $1.268 billion
2010 sales: $1.319 billion
% Change: -3.9%
Indication: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as part of a total treatment program that may include counseling or other therapies.
Year(s) of launch/Patent status: Launched with Alza 2000; patent ruled invalid 2011. Generic versions available from Impax, and Watson, with Impax and Teva planning to launch additional generic versions by July 14 after both settled patent litigation Johnson & Johnson.
#1. OxyContin (oxycodone HCl)
Maker of brand-name drug: Purdue Pharma
2011 sales: $2.8 billion
2010 sales: $3.1 billion
% Change: -9.7%
Indication: Moderate to severe pain who require around-the-clock opioids for an extended time
Year(s) of launch/Patent status: Original formulation launched 1996; patent expires 2013. New crush-resistant formulation launched 2010; patent expires 2025. Authorized generic versions available.