OBJECTIVES Sex differences in drug use have been demonstrated in several therapeutic area. However, there is a lack of overviews on sex differences of drug use in entire populations. The aim of this study was to describe difference in prevalence of drugs use in the entire population in Italy between men and women. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study using 2012 data from the IMS LifeLink Treatment DynamicsTM LRx Database, an italian-based administrative database that includes all prescribed drugs that are reimbursed by the Italian National Healthcare System. Pharmacological groups accounting for >90% of the total volume in Defined Daily Doses were considered. Crude and age adjusted differences in prevalence were calculated as risk ratios of women/men.  RESULTS CONCLUSIONS This is the first Italian study that shows substantial differences between men and women. Our findings are congruent with those reported previously in the literature. Some of differences may be explained by variations in disease prevalence and severity, pathophysiology, or by other biological differences. However, it is also evident that other differences lack a rational medical explanation.