title: Economic evaluation of major selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors in a managed care population.
abstract: This study evaluated pharmaceutical charges and economic outcomes related to therapy with the three leading selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors. Patient treatment episodes of major depression occurring between July 1, 1995 and June 30, 1996 were included for analysis (patient age range, 18-64 yr). Results showed no significant differences among direct and related medical charges for fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline. Direct and related pharmaceutical charges were significantly lower for paroxetine and sertraline compared with fluoxetine. The higher drug charges observed for fluoxetine resulted in higher total treatment charges compared with paroxetine and sertraline.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Panzarino
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xuan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D017050:Episode of Care; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000191:economics; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020280:Sertraline / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D005473:Fluoxetine; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline