[Pharmacoeconomic analysis of the short scheme praziquantel in the treatment of neurocysticercosis].
The effectiveness of the treatment of neurocysticercosis with praziquantel has been assessed in several clinical trials in the last 20 years. Most studies employed a dose of 50 mg/kg/day, three times at day during 2 weeks. Recently, a novel and brief dosage scheme of praziquantel has been described. This scheme employs three doses of 25 mg/kg, and all are administered separately on the same day, with interval of 2 hours. This scheme has a direct impact on direct costs (cost of drugs), with a 90% reduction of the traditional scheme. In addition to a favorable impact on direct costs, the impact on indirect costs is important: with the short-scheme, hospitalization in unnecessary, and costs of hospital visits for patient and family is avoided, with subsequent improvement of emotional status and family environment.
Medina-Santillán
Roberto
R
Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México, D.F.
Mateos-García
Eduardo
E
Reyes-García
Gerardo
G
Castañeda-Hernández
Gilberto
G
Sotelo
Julio
J
D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D006801:Humans; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel