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Fills for Generic Viagra Continue to Surge: GoodRx Monthly Report

Tori Marsh, MPHClement Feyt, MPH
Written by Tori Marsh, MPH | Analysis by Clement Feyt, MPH
Published on July 10, 2018
This article is no longer being updated and some information may not be current. Visit the GoodRx Health homepage for our latest articles.

Blockbuster erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil) went generic in 2017, and since then, fills for generic sildenafil have surged — up 18% in June alone.

The GoodRx Index also showed the following drug trends in June:

  • Fills for allergy medications are dropping off.

  • Actimmune continues to be the most expensive drug in the US.

This data reflects overall US prescriptions (not fills using GoodRx) and comes from several sources, including pharmacies and insurers, providing a representative sample of nationwide US prescription drug volume.

Dollar bills and prescription bottles

Fills for sildenafil continue to surge

Back in December 2017, generic sildenafil was released at around $30 per pill, a 50% discount from expensive brand-name version Viagra. Since that release, the number of prescription fills for the generic has skyrocketed, and this past June alone, fills increased by 18%. This growth in prescription fills shows how many more men are willing to pay for their erectile dysfunction medication now that it is more affordable.

Fills for allergy medications

We’re through the worst of allergy season

Last month, we reported that fills for five popular allergy medications (montelukast, cetirizine, hydroxyzine, fluticasone, and loratadine) were up 30% since the start of allergy season in February. It seems as if we may have seen the worst of allergies this year, as fills for the above allergy medications have dropped by 15% since the end of last month.

The most popular drugs in June

Here are the 10 most popular drugs based on a representative sample of fills at US pharmacies. They reflect overall US prescriptions, not fills using GoodRx.

  1. Atorvastatin

  2. Levothyroxine

  3. Lisinopril

  4. Hydrocodone/acetaminophen

  5. Amlodipine

  6. Omeprazole

  7. Ventolin

  8. Fluticasone

  9. Ibuprofen

  10. Prednisone

The most expensive drugs in June

These are the 10 most expensive outpatient drugs in the US based on list prices for a typical one-month prescription.

  1. Actimmune – $53,321

  2. Daraprim – $45,000

  3. Cinryze – $44,140

  4. Chenodal – $42,750

  5. Myalept – $42,137

  6. H.P. Acthar – $38,892

  7. Juxtapid – $36,992

  8. Firazyr – $32,468

  9. Harvoni – $31,500

  10. Cuprimine – $31,426

Some other news from June

  • An analysis of GoodRx data showed that prices for common estrogen medications increased by 200% in four years. Read more about that here.

  • GoodRx helped an Uber driver save on his migraine medications.

  • Insurance claims for anxiety and depression prescriptions revealed some chilling trends. See our data on the “United States of Worry” here.

  • GoodRx data revealed the 10 most expensive brand and generic medications in the US.

  • An Army vet from El Paso, Texas spoke with GoodRx about how he saved 90% on his medications.

  • Prices for smoking cessation drug Chantix increased by 106% in just five years.

  • The FDA approved the first ever cannabis-derived drug and it will be used to treat epilepsy. Read more about this approval here.

  • GoodRx now offers deeper discounts on some popular medications at Walmart. Read more about these new lower prices here.

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