Pharmacoeconomic considerations associated with the use of intravenous-to-oral moxifloxacin for community-acquired pneumonia.
BACKGROUND
Intravenous-to-oral (iv/po) conversion is one cost-effective approach to the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).


METHODS
Consecutive patients with CAP were enrolled during 3 study periods (January-March of 2001, 2002, and 2004) with different pharmacy intervention (PI) strategies: iv beta -lactam plus a macrolide (no PI), iv beta-lactam plus a macrolide with iv/po PI (PI switch), and iv moxifloxacin with pharmacist-initiated automatic po moxifloxacin conversion (PI sequential). Costs and outcomes were compared among groups.


RESULTS
Two hundred fifty-one patients were enrolled. The average Fine score was 75, and the mean age of patients was 51 years. In the PI groups, the duration of treatment with iv antibiotics was decreased. Clinical success on day 3 of therapy was improved in the PI sequential group but was similar in all 3 groups on day 7 of therapy and at the end of therapy. The length of stay in the hospital was similar for patients in all 3 groups (mean, 4.39 days). Antibiotic costs were significantly reduced, by $110/patient, in the PI sequential group.


CONCLUSIONS
Conversion from iv to po therapy was accomplished more quickly when converting to the same agent with pharmacist-initiated automatic iv/po conversion, thus reducing the associated cost without compromising efficacy.
Davis
Susan L
SL
Anti-Infective Research Laboratory, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Delgado
George
G
McKinnon
Peggy S
PS
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001372:Aza Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077266:Moxifloxacin; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D011804:Quinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001372:Aza Compounds; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D011804:Quinolines; D000077266:Moxifloxacin