[Cost effectiveness of treatment with triptanes in Spain].
BACKGROUND
Migraine is a very common disorder and frequent cause of consultation of the neurologist. The triptanes have been a great advance in the treatment of migraine attacks. At present it is the treatment of choice in severe attacks of migraine, but it is more expensive than the other drugs used for this. Taking into account the greater efficacy and the saving in direct and indirect costs which may be due to treatment with triptanes, its use may not only be effective but also efficient.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the cost effectiveness of the triptanes sold in Spain (sumatriptan, naratriptan, zolmitriptan, rizatriptan, almotriptan).


METHODS
We analyzed the efficacy, therapeutic gain and number of different triptanes needed for treatment. We evaluated the cost of multiplying the result of the number needing treatment by the price of each unit of the drug. The results are expressed in pesetas and in euros.


RESULTS
Rizatriptan gave the best results and was the cheapest triptan, followed by sumatriptan and zolmitriptan. When criteria of efficacy were used, naratriptan was the most expensive triptan, in spite of being the cheapest per unit.


CONCLUSIONS
In chronic, recurrent disorders such as migraine, when the cost of treatment using triptans is assessed, one has not only to evaluate the cost per unit but also to introduce other parameters such as the efficacy of the drug, which is one of the most important.
Gracia Naya
M
M
Servicio de Neurología; Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, 50009, España. gracia.naya@meditex.es
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Coste eficacia del tratamiento con triptanes en España.