The popular medications are sometimes called superaspirin for their ability to alleviate pain while minimizing side effects - particularly stomach ulcers - associated with frequent use of aspirin, ibuprofen or similar painkillers.

More than 200 different prescription drugs can interfere with the erectile response, including some of the popular medications used to combat high blood pressure, psychosis and depression.

In practice, subgroups of patients take the popular medications Mr. Reinhardt mentions - antihistamines, antidepressants and anticholesterol agents - daily for years.

In 2001, the company said that new drugs and the success of its popular antipsychotic medication, Zyprexa, would more than compensate for the loss of the patent on Prozac, its huge-selling antidepressant.

It is therefore to their obvious advantage to see expensive and popular medications move out of their prescription requirements.

Some popular medications that are legal in the United States, such as Prozac and Viagra, are sold illegally in Japan on the black market.

Despite some rationing by drug makers, popular medications most in demand among Americans, like the anti-cholesterol drug Lipitor from Pfizer, were not in short supply, he said.

Commonly known as pink bismuth, it is the active ingredient in popular medications such as Pepto-Bismol and, since 2003, in Kaopectate.

The three most popular medications prescribed for the disorder are Ritalin, Dexedrine and Adderall.

One of the most popular medications, corticosteroids, are either injected into the scalp, taken in pill form or applied in an ointment, and are used especially to treat patchy hair loss.