Almotriptan versus sumatriptan in migraine treatment: direct medical costs of managing adverse chest symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
Triptans, a popular class of drugs for treatment of migraine headaches, can cause adverse events including chest symptoms. This study estimated the direct medical costs of managing chest symptoms in patients treated for acute migraine with almotriptan or sumatriptan using an economic model.


METHODS
The economic model of this study combined data from a randomized clinical trial that compared almotriptan with sumatriptan and data from a practice pattern survey of physicians. The pertinent clinical evaluation period was the time immediately after administration of the first medication dose. The model was developed from the perspective of a managed care payer.


RESULTS
The average direct medical cost of managing chest symptoms that appeared after the first dose of an oral triptan was $0.22 for patients treated with almotriptan and $1.64 for patients treated with sumatriptan, a difference of $1.42 per patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Relative to sumatriptan, treatment with almotriptan is likely to reduce patient care costs associated with chest symptom adverse events.
Mannix
Lisa K
LK
Headache Wellness Center, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.
Adelman
James U
JU
Goldfarb
Scott D
SD
Von
SeggernRanaalL
S
Kozma
Chris M
CM
D002637:Chest Pain / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology; D016527:Drug Costs; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014363:Tryptamines; D014481:United States
D007211:Indoles; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D014363:Tryptamines; C409045:almotriptan; D018170:Sumatriptan