A cost comparison of intramuscular versus intravenous imipenem.
Previously reported clinical trials of imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg given intravenously every 6 hours (intravenous group) and imipenem-cilastatin 750 mg given intramuscularly every 12 hours (intramuscular group) were analyzed for relative cost savings. Acquisition costs were significantly higher for the intravenous group for intravenous supplies (30.6 +/- 7.9 dollars) when compared to the intramuscular group (0.98 +/- 0.03 dollars) (p less than 0.05). Also, significantly higher cost (p less than 0.05) was noted for salaries of pharmacists and technicians for manufacturing in the intravenous group (5.8 +/- 1.5 dollars) as compared to the intramuscular group (2.4 +/- 0.7 dollars). Nursing administration costs were greater for the intramuscular group (15.6 +/- 4.8 dollars) when compared to the intravenous group (11.7 +/- 3.0 dollars). Incorporating all appropriate costs, the mean total drug therapy costs (TRX$) were significantly greater (p less than 0.01) for the intravenous group (458.17 +/- 175.17 dollars) as compared to the intramuscular group (298.0 +/- 114.76 dollars). Thus, the dosing of imipenem-cilastatin 750 mg intramuscularly every 12 hours is a more cost effective method of drug delivery with equal efficacy and safety when compared to imipenem-cilastatin 500 mg given intravenously every 6 hours.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000191:economics*; D015377:Cilastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000191:economics*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000191:economics*; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control