title: The contraceptive implant and the injectable: a comparison of costs.
abstract: A comparison of the relative costs of the injectable contraceptive (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) and the hormonal implant (Norplant) indicates that the implant is a less costly contraceptive option when it is used for its full five-year lifespan. Over a five-year period, the implant costs $107 annually, compared with $140 per year for the injectable. However, if a woman discontinues the implant before she has used it for at least four years, the injectable becomes the less costly option. Relatively high continuation rates--around 95% annually--are necessary to make the implant the more cost-effective contraceptive method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Westfall
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Main
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016527:Drug Costs; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000191:economics*; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000191:economics*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate