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21. Sodium fluoride
For infants and children who have access to fluoridated tap water, fluoride supplements can be an important way to keep their teeth healthy and prevent dental caries.
22. Multivitamins with fluoride
In addition to fluoride supplements, when necessary, children can take a multivitamin with fluoride. In addition to fluoride, these usually include Vitamin A, D, and C, and sometimes iron.
23. Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall and Adderall XR are the brand names for this class of stimulants that are used to treat ADHD.
Generic versions of intermediate release Adderall ($80 to $95) and extended release Adderall XR ($175 to $183) are available.
24. Hydrocortisone
Hydrocortisone is a low-potency topical steroid that is available as an ointment, cream, lotion, gel, and in other forms.
25. Budesonide
A steroid that is available as Pulmicort Respules (generic), Pulmicort Flexhaler, and Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray.
Rhinocort Aqua nasal spray typically costs about $186 to $223.
26. Ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone
Ciprodex is the brand name for this combination of an antibiotic with a steroid that is often used to treat swimmer's ear and middle ear infections in kids with a perforated ear drum or ear tubes.
There is no generic version of Ciprodex, which typically costs about $200, but the manufacturer does offer a Ciprodex instant rebate.
27. Promethazine
Available as suppositories, tablets, and as a syrup, promethazine (Phenergan) can be used to prevent and control nausea and vomiting. Recent warnings that it "may cause breathing to slow or stop, and may cause death in children," should be limiting its use now, especially as more pediatricians prescribe Zofran instead.
28. Prednisolone
Prednisolone is a liquid steroid that is commonly used to treat flare-ups of asthma, poison ivy reactions, croup, and other corticosteroid-responsive disorders.
29. Antipyrine/benzocaine
Also simply called A/B otic drops, these analgesic ear drops can help to relieve the pain and discomfort that can accompany an ear infection.
30. Lisdexamfetamine
Vyvanse is the brand name of this class of stimulant that is used to treat ADHD.
Not available as a generic, Vyvanse costs about $240 to $250.
Get a Vyvanse coupon.
The 30 Most Prescribed Drugs in Pediatrics
Researchers extracted pediatric prescription data from the MS Total Patient Tracker for 2010 to come up with the 30 most prescribed drug molecules in pediatrics. In their article that was published in Pediatrics, "Trends of Outpatient Prescription Drug Utilization in US Children, 2002–2010," they were able to examine "the frequency and patterns of national outpatient drug utilization (acute and chronic medications) in US infants, children, and adolescents."
Where you surprised by the drugs that made the list? Other than the fact that there are no drops for pink eye, such as Polytrim, Vigamox, or Moxeza, this list is about what you would expect from the average pediatrician. Ideally though, I think that you would see many fewer scripts for narcotic pain relievers and more scripts for combination inhalers to help control asthma, such as Advair, Dulera, and Symbicort.