Pharmacoeconomic comparison of aripiprazole once-monthly and paliperidone palmitate from a head-to-head clinical trial in schizophrenia: a US analysis

Christophe Sapin, Ann Hartry, Siddhesh A Kamat, Maud Beillat, Ross A Baker, Anna Eramo

Article Type

Original Research

Published

In this analysis the authors used health economics assessment data collected during the QUAlity of LIfe with AbiliFY Maintena (QUALIFY) study, a randomized head-to-head study of aripiprazole once-monthly 400 mg (AOM 400) compared with paliperidone palmitate (PP; 78–234 mg/mo), to determine the direct medical and pharmacy costs and the cost-effectiveness associated with each treatment over 6 months. The authors concluded that the analysis of data from stabilized patients with schizophrenia in the QUALIFY study indicated that AOM 400 is associated with lower health-care costs and greater effectiveness compared with PP and thus represents the economically dominant strategy.

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Inpatient resource use and costs associated with switching from oral antipsychotics to aripiprazole once-monthly for the treatment of schizophrenia

Michele Wilson, Benjamin Gutierrez, Steve J Offord, Christopher M Blanchette, Anna Eramo, Stephanie Earnshaw, Siddhesh A Kamat

Article Type

Original Research

Published

Schizophrenia is associated with high direct healthcare costs due to progression of disease and frequent occurrence of relapses. Aripiprazole once-monthly (AOM) has been shown to reduce total psychiatric hospitalizations among patients who switched from oral standard of care (SOC) therapy to AOM. In this paper the authors report the results of an economic model study to evaluate the psychiatric hospitalization-related medical costs and antipsychotic pharmacy costs during a 6-month period before and after initiation of AOM treatment.

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Antidepressant efficacy and side-effect burden: a quick guide for clinicians

Daniel Santarsieri, Thomas L Schwartz

Article Type

Review

Published

Prescribing of antidepressant treatment (ADT) for major depressive disorder (MDD) has increased substantially over the last two decades. In this paper, the authors discuss the evidence that supports the use of ADT based on FDA approvals, data from randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses and where these are not available, the authors discuss and apply theoretical pharmacodynamic principles to help guide treatment choice in MDD.

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Alpha-2 receptor agonists for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder

Molly R Belkin, Thomas L Schwartz

Article Type

Review

Published

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is thought to be related to a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system. Sometimes, use of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for PTSD, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline and paroxetine, may not lead to full remission and symptoms of hyperarousal may persist. In this article the authors review the literature on the alpha-2 receptor agonists clonidine and guanfacine for the treatment of PTSD and conclude that while the evidence base is limited, these agents might be considered useful when SSRIs fail in patients with PTSD.

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