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Opioid Painkiller Most Prescribed Drug In North Carolina

Hydrocodone-acetaminophen pills, also known as Vicodin. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)

A new map shows the 10 most widely-prescribed drugs in each state. In North Carolina, an opioid pain pill tops the list.

Norco and Vicodin ranked number one as the most prescribed medication in North Carolina and in nine other states, including several in the South (Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas).

The drugs are mixtures of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. They're often prescribed after surgery or to treat chronic pain and are highly addictive.

Data was collected by GoodRx, a website and mobile app that tracks prescription drug prices, and came from pharmacies and insurers around the country.

The second most prescribed drug in the state was Synthroid, a hormone replacement used to treat hypothyroidism, followed by Adderall.

According to Kaiser Health News, Americans fill 4.5 billion prescriptions a year at a cost of $323 billion.

Bethany is WFDD's editorial director. She joined the staff in the fall of 2012. She received her B.A. and M.A. in English Literature from Wake Forest University. Between undergraduate studies and graduate school, Bethany served as the intern to Talk of the Nation at NPR in D.C., participating in live NPR Election Night Coverage, Presidential debate broadcasts, regular Talk of the Nation shows, and helping to plan the inaugural broadcast of ‘Talk of the World.' She enjoys engaging with her interests in books, politics, and art in the interdisciplinary world of public radio. Before becoming editorial director, Bethany was assistant news Director, a reporter and associate producer for WFDD's Triad Arts and Triad Arts Weekend. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Bethany enjoys calling the Piedmont home.

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