DR. JOHN STEPHEN THURLOW M.D.
Prescription History 1740441237
Internal Medicine - Nephrology in Bethesda, MD
What does Dr. Thurlow prescribe?
In 2024, Dr. Thurlow wrote 5,459 Medicare prescriptions for 45 medications. The most prescribed was Calcitriol, with 775 prescriptions for 213 patients.
Medicare Part D only. These are prescriptions filled by people with Medicare drug coverage in 2024, from the CMS data released in 2026, the most recent year available. CMS does not publish medications with fewer than 11 prescriptions, so this is not a full list of what Dr. Thurlow prescribes.
Medications 45 medications
Prescriptions filled under Medicare Part D in 2024. Select a medication to see what it is used for and how it compares with other Maryland prescribers.
What it is used for
Calcitriol is a man-made active form of vitamin D.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 775 prescriptions for Calcitriol, about 21 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (37). Medicare paid $9.64 per fill, versus $19.92 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Furosemide is used to reduce extra fluid in the body (edema) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 757 prescriptions for Furosemide, about 12 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (64). Medicare paid $8.40 per fill, versus $5.77 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Amlodipine is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 721 prescriptions for Amlodipine Besylate, about 5.5 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (130). Medicare paid $8.10 per fill, versus $8.15 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Carvedilol is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 394 prescriptions for Carvedilol, about 8.2 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (48). Medicare paid $9.97 per fill, versus $10.39 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Atorvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 319 prescriptions for Atorvastatin Calcium, about 1.9 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (167). Medicare paid $11.46 per fill, versus $12.96 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
This medication is used to treat high blood pressure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 234 prescriptions for Hydrochlorothiazide, about 3.7 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (64). Medicare paid $6.63 per fill, versus $4.79 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Allopurinol is used to treat gout and certain types of kidney stones.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 226 prescriptions for Allopurinol, about 5.7 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (40). Medicare paid $10.91 per fill, versus $11.44 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Bumetanide is used to reduce extra fluid in the body (edema) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 218 prescriptions for Bumetanide, about 8.3 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (26). Medicare paid $39.27 per fill, versus $35.40 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 217 prescriptions for Losartan Potassium, about 2.3 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (96). Medicare paid $14.74 per fill, versus $11.44 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
This medication is a mineral supplement used to treat or prevent low amounts of potassium in the blood.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 213 prescriptions for Potassium Chloride, about 4.8 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (44). Medicare paid $29.79 per fill, versus $23.11 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 161 prescriptions for Lisinopril, about 1.8 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (88). Medicare paid $5.97 per fill, versus $8.25 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Irbesartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 84 prescriptions for Irbesartan, about 3 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (28). Medicare paid $15.90 per fill, versus $26.16 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Famotidine is used to treat ulcers of the stomach and intestines and to prevent intestinal ulcers from coming back after they have healed.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 80 prescriptions for Famotidine, about 1.6 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (50). Medicare paid $8.13 per fill, versus $14.07 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Gabapentin is used with other medications to prevent and control seizures.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 80 prescriptions for Gabapentin, about as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (71). Medicare paid $13.43 per fill, versus $15.67 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
This medication is a beta-blocker used to treat chest pain (angina), heart failure, and high blood pressure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 79 prescriptions for Metoprolol Succinate, about 84% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (95). Medicare paid $15.64 per fill, versus $17.16 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Cinacalcet is used to treat increased amounts of a certain hormone (parathyroid) in people with long-term kidney disease who are on dialysis.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 75 prescriptions for Cinacalcet Hcl, about 2.8 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (27). Medicare paid $31.88 per fill, versus $359.87 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
This medication is used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 65 prescriptions for Clonidine Hcl, about 2.6 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (25). Medicare paid $13.87 per fill, versus $8.14 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Chlorthalidone is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 53 prescriptions for Chlorthalidone, about 2.1 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (25). Medicare paid $17.99 per fill, versus $20.36 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Tamsulosin is used by men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia-BPH).
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 53 prescriptions for Tamsulosin Hcl, about 75% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (71). Medicare paid $11.34 per fill, versus $18.03 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Sevelamer is used to lower high blood phosphorus (phosphate) levels in patients who are on dialysis due to severe kidney disease.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 48 prescriptions for Sevelamer Carbonate, about 1.4 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (35). Medicare paid $148.15 per fill, versus $230.48 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Calcium acetate is used to prevent high blood phosphate levels in patients who are on dialysis due to severe kidney disease.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 47 prescriptions for Calcium Acetate, about 1.8 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (26). Medicare paid $62.95 per fill, versus $80.99 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Metolazone is a "water pill" (diuretic) that increases the amount of urine you make, which causes your body to get rid of excess water.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 46 prescriptions for Metolazone, about 2.2 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (21). Medicare paid $7.95 per fill, versus $28.06 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Hydralazine is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 45 prescriptions for Hydralazine Hcl, about as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (40). Medicare paid $15.99 per fill, versus $16.84 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Nifedipine is used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 44 prescriptions for Nifedipine Er, about 1.4 times as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (32). Medicare paid $41.57 per fill, versus $29.98 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Rosuvastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 39 prescriptions for Rosuvastatin Calcium, about 40% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (96). Medicare paid $9.75 per fill, versus $22.56 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Spironolactone is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 31 prescriptions for Spironolactone, about 84% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (37). Medicare paid $9.64 per fill, versus $10.02 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 31 prescriptions for Valsartan, about as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (33). Medicare paid $16.22 per fill, versus $35.08 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Apixaban is used to prevent serious blood clots from forming due to a certain irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) or after hip/knee replacement surgery.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 27 prescriptions for Eliquis, about 35% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (77). Medicare paid $1,335.37 per fill, versus $934.44 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Omeprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers).
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 27 prescriptions for Omeprazole, about half as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (62). Medicare paid $17.78 per fill, versus $14.60 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Rivaroxaban is used to prevent blood clots from forming due to a certain irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) or after hip or knee replacement surgery.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 26 prescriptions for Xarelto, about 67% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (39). Medicare paid $1,303.01 per fill, versus $1,023.10 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
This medication is used to treat high blood pressure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 25 prescriptions for Lisinopril-Hydrochlorothiazide, about 80% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (31). Medicare paid $8.68 per fill, versus $9.76 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Torsemide is used to reduce extra fluid in the body (edema) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 24 prescriptions for Torsemide, about 78% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (31). Medicare paid $7.13 per fill, versus $18.87 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Atenolol is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 22 prescriptions for Atenolol, about 60% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (36). Medicare paid $6.07 per fill, versus $9.48 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
This medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 20 prescriptions for Telmisartan, about 76% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (26). Medicare paid $10.64 per fill, versus $38.43 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
This medication is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 19 prescriptions for Ciprofloxacin Hcl, about 73% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (26). Medicare paid $4.20 per fill, versus $6.34 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
This medication is used to prevent or treat gout attacks (flares).
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 17 prescriptions for Colchicine, about 78% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (22). Medicare paid $13.98 per fill, versus $66.31 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
This drug is used to treat high blood pressure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 16 prescriptions for Losartan-Hydrochlorothiazide, about half as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (34). Medicare paid $9.28 per fill, versus $16.34 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Pravastatin is used along with a proper diet to help lower "bad" cholesterol and fats (such as LDL, triglycerides) and raise "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 15 prescriptions for Pravastatin Sodium, about 31% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (48). Medicare paid $13.02 per fill, versus $18.60 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Prednisone is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood disorders, breathing problems, severe allergies, skin diseases, cancer, eye problems, and immune system disorders.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 14 prescriptions for Prednisone, about 35% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (40). Medicare paid $7.06 per fill, versus $4.84 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Dapagliflozin is used with a proper diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 13 prescriptions for Farxiga, about 37% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (35). Medicare paid $800.48 per fill, versus $1,020.87 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
This medication is used alone or with other medications to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy) and radiation therapy.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 13 prescriptions for Ondansetron Hcl, about half as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (26). Medicare paid $10.64 per fill, versus $14.51 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Pantoprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux).
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 13 prescriptions for Pantoprazole Sodium, about 20% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (65). Medicare paid $97.89 per fill, versus $15.27 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Enalapril is used to treat high blood pressure.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 11 prescriptions for Enalapril Maleate, about half as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (19). Medicare paid $11.55 per fill, versus $23.86 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Sitagliptin is used with a proper diet and exercise program and possibly with other medications to control high blood sugar.
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 11 prescriptions for Januvia, about 38% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (29). Medicare paid $973.60 per fill, versus $966.80 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
What it is used for
Metoprolol is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Compared with Maryland prescribers
Dr. Thurlow wrote 11 prescriptions for Metoprolol Tartrate, about 20% as often as the typical Maryland prescriber of it (56). Medicare paid $2.80 per fill, versus $8.19 statewide.
Volume reflects how many Medicare patients a practice sees as well as prescribing habits. It is not a measure of quality.
Questions about Dr. Thurlow’s prescriptions
What does Dr. Thurlow prescribe most?
In 2024 Medicare Part D data, Dr. Thurlow's most prescribed medications were Calcitriol (775), Furosemide (757) and Amlodipine Besylate (721).
How does Dr. Thurlow's prescribing compare with other Maryland prescribers?
Of the 45 medications with a state comparison, Dr. Thurlow prescribes 20 more often than the typical Maryland prescriber, 9 about as often and 16 less often. Volume reflects practice size as well as prescribing habits.
Does this list show every medication Dr. Thurlow prescribes?
No. It covers prescriptions filled by people with Medicare Part D drug coverage in 2024, and CMS leaves out any medication with fewer than 11 prescriptions.
About this data
This page shows one provider’s slice of public Medicare files. NPI Profile does not receive prescriptions or patient records.
| Source | What it provides here | Data year |
|---|---|---|
| CMS Medicare Part D Prescribers by Provider and Drug | Each medication, prescriptions, patients, 30-day fills, days of medication and cost. State comparisons average the Maryland prescribers of the same medication and form, where at least five wrote it. | 2024 (released 2026, the most recent available) |
| CMS Medicare Part D Drug Spending Dashboard | What each medication is used for. | 2024 |
- Only prescriptions filled by people with Medicare Part D drug coverage are counted. Private insurance, Medicaid and cash purchases are not.
- CMS leaves out medications with fewer than 11 prescriptions and hides patient counts under 11.
- Cost per fill is what the plan and the patient paid the pharmacy together, not what you pay at the counter.
- Medication descriptions are summaries from CMS. They are not medical advice; ask a health care professional about any medication.
