Drug Classes

Medicare Part D spending organized by therapeutic category. 190 drugs across 24 classes, totaling $63.49B in 2023.

Data: CMS Medicare Part D, 2023 (most current available) · Updated March 2026

Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants)

5 drugs · Top: Eliquis

$10.31B

14,064,739 claims

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

6 drugs · Top: Ozempic

$8.51B

6,297,872 claims

Cancer/Oncology

13 drugs · Top: Revlimid

$6.71B

1,193,629 claims

Biologics & Immunotherapy

10 drugs · Top: Humira(Cf) Pen

$5.75B

738,787 claims

Inhalers & Respiratory

18 drugs · Top: Trelegy Ellipta

$5.73B

27,538,514 claims

SGLT2 Inhibitors

5 drugs · Top: Jardiance

$5.45B

5,223,231 claims

Insulins

14 drugs · Top: Lantus Solostar

$4.94B

6,882,935 claims

HIV/Antivirals

15 drugs · Top: Biktarvy

$3.10B

1,687,070 claims

Diabetes (Other)

10 drugs · Top: Januvia

$2.67B

22,787,802 claims

Antipsychotics

14 drugs · Top: Invega Sustenna

$2.43B

10,068,042 claims

ARBs (Angiotensin Blockers)

9 drugs · Top: Entresto

$1.74B

22,273,334 claims

Opioid Pain Medications

11 drugs · Top: Oxycodone Hcl

$1.05B

23,323,774 claims

Statins (Cholesterol)

6 drugs · Top: Atorvastatin Calcium

$915.1M

53,481,103 claims

Seizure/Epilepsy Medications

9 drugs · Top: Gabapentin

$911.5M

25,349,101 claims

Proton Pump Inhibitors

6 drugs · Top: Omeprazole

$586.4M

23,785,760 claims

Beta Blockers

6 drugs · Top: Metoprolol Succinate

$496.8M

30,405,641 claims

NSAIDs (Anti-inflammatory)

8 drugs · Top: Diclofenac Sodium

$443.0M

14,264,788 claims

Thyroid Medications

1 drug · Top: Levothyroxine Sodium

$435.3M

20,209,418 claims

Calcium Channel Blockers

4 drugs · Top: Amlodipine Besylate

$321.6M

24,261,667 claims

SNRIs (Antidepressants)

3 drugs · Top: Duloxetine Hcl

$253.7M

7,551,980 claims

SSRIs (Antidepressants)

5 drugs · Top: Sertraline Hcl

$236.4M

18,343,598 claims

Diuretics

6 drugs · Top: Furosemide

$220.5M

23,467,602 claims

ACE Inhibitors

3 drugs · Top: Lisinopril

$190.1M

18,722,530 claims

Benzodiazepines

3 drugs · Top: Alprazolam

$101.8M

11,823,167 claims

About Drug Classification

Drugs are grouped by their therapeutic mechanism — how they work in the body. This classification helps identify which categories drive the most Medicare spending and where cost-saving opportunities exist.

Blood thinners and GLP-1 receptor agonists together account for nearly $19 billion — more than the next four categories combined. The rapid growth of GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Mounjaro) for diabetes and weight loss is reshaping Medicare drug spending.

See our Most Prescribed Drugs analysis or Generic Adoption Gap for more context.