title: Cost analysis of two clindamycin dosing regimens.
abstract: A clinical trial of clindamycin 900 mg q8h admixed with gentamicin 1.5 mg/kg (eight-hourly group) versus clindamycin 600 mg q6h with gentamicin 1.5 mg/kg given separately (six-hourly group) was analyzed for relative cost containment. Acquisition costs were significantly higher for the six-hourly group for intravenous supplies ($181.5 +/- 47.8) when compared with the eight-hourly group ($67.6 +/- 21.6) (p less than 0.05). Nursing administration costs were greater for the six-hourly group ($28.6 +/- 7.5) compared with ($10.7 +/- 3.4) for the eight-hourly group (p less than 0.05). Also, significantly higher cost (p less than 0.05) was noted for pharmacist and technician manufacturing cost for the six-hourly group ($15.4 +/- 4.0) compared with the eight-hourly group ($13.3 +/- 4.3). Incorporating all appropriate costs, the mean total drug therapy costs were significantly greater (p less than 0.05) for clindamycin 600 mg q6h ($527.4 +/- 143.0) compared with clindamycin 900 mg q8h ($433.3 +/- 99.2). The dosing of clindamycin 900 mg q8h admixed with gentamicin 1.5 mg/kg is a more cost-effective method of drug delivery with similar efficacy and safety when compared with clindamycin 600 mg q6h with gentamicin given separately.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Yellin
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Berne
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Heseltine
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Appleman
mesh_terms: D002140:California; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008510:Medication Systems, Hospital / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D002981:Clindamycin