February 5, 2009 (Newswise) - Medications that affect a person's metabolism by helping to lower cholesterol, control diabetes and control weight accounted for $38 billion of the $208.1 billion that American adults spent on medications in 2006, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).The estimate comes from an AHRQ analysis that found five therapeutic categories of prescribed drugs accounted for more than 60 percent of consumer spending on drugs in 2006.

Among the conclusions:

• Spending was highest for metabolic drugs, which include cholesterol-lowering medications, diabetes drugs, and weight control drugs.
• Cardiovascular drugs which include blood pressure drugs and diuretics and drugs to control heart rhythm problems: $33 billion.
• Central nervous system drugs including analgesics for pain: $28 billion.
• Psychotherapeutic drugs including antidepressants, $17.5 billion.
• Hormones, used for osteoporosis, menopausal symptoms, cancer treatment, and other medical problems: $14 billion.