TOP 20 HIGHEST
SELLING DRUGS
OF 2024
By- Shalini Patwa
TOP 20 HIGHEST SELLING
DRUGS
Keytruda Darzalex
Ozempic Opdivo
Dupixent Comirnaty
Eliquis Gardasil
Biktarvy Humira
TOP 20 HIGHEST SELLING
DRUGS
Mounjaro Ibrance
Xarelto Enbrel
Revlimid Januvia
Imbruvica Farxiga
Stelara Ocrevus
INDIVIDUAL DRUGS
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Immunotherapy
Blocks PD-1 receptor
for various
to enhance T-cell
Keytruda Pembrolizumab cancers, including
immune response
melanoma and
against cancer cells
lung cancer
Keytruda gained fame for extending former U.S.
President Jimmy Carter's life after metastatic
melanoma. Now a blockbuster, it generates over $20
billion annually and is approved for 20+ cancer types.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Management of
that enhances insulin
Ozempic Semaglutide type 2 diabetes
secretion and reduces
and weight loss
appetite
Ozempic (semaglutide) has gained fame for controlling
blood sugar and promoting significant weight loss.
Originally for diabetes, it was rebranded as Wegovy for
obesity treatment, earning the nickname "Hollywood
weight-loss drug."
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Treatment of
atopic dermatitis, Blocks IL-4 and IL-13
Dupixent Dupilumab asthma, and signaling to reduce
chronic inflammation
rhinosinusitis
Dupixent was the first biologic approved specifically for
atopic dermatitis (commonly known as eczema), a
chronic and often debilitating skin condition.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Anticoagulant for Direct inhibitor of
Eliquis Apixaban stroke prevention Factor Xa to prevent
in atrial fibrillation blood clot formation
Eliquis has revolutionized the treatment of atrial
fibrillation and DVT by offering a safer, more
convenient alternative to warfarin, with fewer
bleeding risks. In 2023, it became the world’s top-
selling anticoagulant, generating over $18 billion in
revenue.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Inhibits integrase and
Antiretroviral
Bictegravir/Emtrici reverse transcriptase
Biktarvy therapy for HIV-1
tabine/Tenofovir enzymes critical for
infection
HIV replication
An important milestone associated with Biktarvy is its
role in the U=U campaign (Undetectable =
Untransmittable). This campaign highlights that
individuals with an undetectable viral load due to
effective treatment cannot sexually transmit HIV to
their partners, significantly reducing stigma and
improving the quality of life for those living with HIV.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Targets CD38 antigen
Treatment for on myeloma cells,
Darzalex Daratumumab
multiple myeloma leading to immune-
mediated cell death
One of the most interesting facts about Darzalex
(generic name: daratumumab) is that it was the first
monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of
multiple myeloma. It works by targeting CD38, a
protein expressed on the surface of myeloma cells, as
well as some immune cells.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Immunotherapy
Blocks PD-1 receptor
for various
to enhance T-cell
Opdivo Nivolumab cancers, including
activity against cancer
melanoma and
cells
lung cancer
On December 27, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approved Opdivo Qvantig
(nivolumab and hyaluronidase-nvhy) for subcutaneous
injection. This approval allows for quicker
administration compared to the previous intravenous
form, enhancing convenience for patients undergoing
treatment for various cancers.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Delivers mRNA
mRNA vaccine for encoding the spike
Comirnaty BNT162b2 COVID-19 protein of SARS-CoV-
prevention 2, inducing an immune
response
COMIRNATY, developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, is an
mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine that has undergone
significant advancements since its initial approval.
Notably, it was the first COVID-19 vaccine to receive full
approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) for individuals aged 12 and older.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Vaccine for
Induces immune
prevention of
response against HPV
Gardasil HPV Vaccine human
types to prevent
papillomavirus
infection
(HPV) infections
Gardasil 9, a vaccine developed by Merck, offers
protection against nine types of human papillomavirus
(HPV), including those most commonly associated with
cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, as well
as anal cancer and certain head and neck cancers in
both males and females.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Treatment for
TNF-alpha inhibitor
rheumatoid
that reduces
Humira Adalimumab arthritis and other
inflammation and
autoimmune
immune response
conditions
In 2023, several Humira biosimilars entered the U.S.
market, intensifying competition. Notably, Amgen's
Amjevita became the first U.S. biosimilar to Humira,
launching in January 2023.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Dual GIP and GLP-1
Management of receptor agonist,
Mounjaro Tirzepatide type 2 diabetes enhancing insulin
and obesity secretion and
reducing appetite
Mounjaro (tirzepatide), developed by Eli Lilly, is a
medication for managing type 2 diabetes. It activates
both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, helping control blood
sugar and promoting significant weight loss, with up to
21% body weight reduction in clinical trials. A July 2024
study found Mounjaro led to greater weight loss than
Ozempic, another diabetes drug.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Direct Factor Xa
Anticoagulant for
inhibitor to prevent
Xarelto Rivaroxaban preventing blood
thrombin formation
clots
and clotting
A real-world study published in April 2024
demonstrated that Xarelto was as effective and safe
as apixaban in preventing recurrent venous
thromboembolism (VTE) or bleeding-related
hospitalizations in cancer patients.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Treatment for
multiple myeloma Modulates the immune
Revlimid Lenalidomide and system and inhibits
myelodysplastic tumor angiogenesis
syndromes
In recent developments, Revlimid has been approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a
first-line therapy for patients with newly diagnosed
multiple myeloma. This approval offers a convenient
oral treatment option, demonstrating superior efficacy
compared to traditional combination chemotherapy.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Treatment for B-
Inhibits Bruton's
cell cancers,
tyrosine kinase (BTK),
Imbruvica Ibrutinib including chronic
disrupting B-cell
lymphocytic
receptor signaling
leukemia
Clinical trials, such as RESONATE-2, have shown that
Imbruvica provides long-term survival benefits in
chronic lymphocytic leukemia, with some studies
following patients for up to 10 years.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Treatment for
Blocks IL-12 and IL-23
plaque psoriasis
Stelara Ustekinumab signaling pathways to
and Crohn's
reduce inflammation
disease
In October 2024, the FDA approved IMULDOSA
(ustekinumab-srlf), a biosimilar to Stelara, for chronic
inflammatory conditions like psoriasis, psoriatic
arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. The
approval was based on clinical data showing similar
pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy. Accord
BioPharma plans to launch it in the first half of 2025.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Treatment for HR-
Inhibits CDK4/6 to
positive, HER2-
Ibrance Palbociclib block cancer cell
negative breast
proliferation
cancer
IBRANCE (palbociclib) is a targeted therapy for HR+,
HER2- metastatic breast cancer. It inhibits CDK4/6,
disrupting the cell cycle to prevent cancer growth.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Treatment for
TNF-alpha inhibitor
rheumatoid
that reduces
Enbrel Etanercept arthritis and other
inflammation and
autoimmune
autoimmune activity
conditions
A recent study reported that Enbrel significantly
improved skin clearance in patients with moderate to
severe plaque psoriasis
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Management of Management of type 2
Januvia Sitagliptin
type 2 diabetes diabetes
A recent observational study revealed that patients
with type 2 diabetes taking a combination of Januvia
and metformin initiated insulin therapy at a slower rate
compared to those on a sulfonylurea and metformin
regimen. This suggests that Januvia may help delay
the need for insulin therapy in some patients
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
SGLT2 inhibitor that
Management of
reduces glucose
type 2 diabetes,
reabsorption in the
Farxiga Dapagliflozin heart failure, and
kidney and improves
chronic kidney
cardiac and renal
disease
function
Farxiga is approved in 126 countries, including the U.S.,
as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic
control in adults with T2D.
BRAND NAME Active Ingredient Primary use Mechanism of action
Targets CD20 on B-
Treatment for cells, reducing
Ocrevus Ocrelizumab
multiple sclerosis immune- mediated
damage to nerves
long-term data from clinical studies indicate that after
10 years of continuous Ocrevus treatment, 77% of
patients with relapsing MS were free from disability
progression, and 92% continued to walk unaided.
