Cost-effectiveness of tacrolimus ointment versus pimecrolimus cream in adults with atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Tacrolimus 0.1% and pimecrolimus 1.0% are used for short-term and noncontinuous treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients unresponsive to conventional therapies.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the cost-effectiveness of tacrolimus versus pimecrolimus in adults with AD.


METHODS
Using a Markov cohort model, the authors projected clinical and economic outcomes over six weeks in adults receiving tacrolimus versus pimecrolimus. Cost-effectiveness was assessed in terms of the ratio of the expected cost of AD-related care to the expected number of days with resolved AD.


RESULTS
Patients receiving tacrolimus had an estimated 4.9 fewer days with active AD over six weeks (30.0 versus 34.9 for pimecrolimus). Expected costs (per patient) of AD-related care also were lower for tacrolimus patients ($501.27 versus $546.14, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
While pimecrolimus is indicated for use solely in patients with mild-to-moderate AD, the trial on which this study was based included some patients with severe AD.


CONCLUSIONS
In adults with AD, tacrolimus 0.1% may yield better clinical outcomes and lower costs of care than pimecrolimus 1.0%.
Policy Analysis Inc. (PAI), Brookline, MA 02445, USA.
Charu
C
Taneja
Richard J
RJ
Antaya
Ariel
A
Berger
Thomas S
TS
Marshall
Raafat
R
Seifeldin
Gerry
G
Oster
D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009824:Ointments; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D009824:Ointments; C117268:pimecrolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus