Diclofenac/misoprostol. Pharmacoeconomic implications of therapy. 1999

G L Plosker, and H M Lamb
Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz

The combined formulation of diclofenac/misoprostol provides effective relief of pain and inflammation, with a 2- to 3-fold lower incidence of NSAID-associated gastroduodenal ulcers than diclofenac monotherapy. Both components of the combined formulation have been widely used and have well documented efficacy and tolerability profiles. Compared with other agents used as prophylaxis for NSAID-induced gastropathies, misoprostol is generally considered to have the most extensive outcomes data establishing its efficacy in preventing both gastric and duodenal ulcers associated with long term NSAID use. Economic analyses conducted to date have shown that diclofenac/misoprostol is associated with similar or lower total direct medical treatment costs compared with other NSAIDs (with or without coprescribed misoprostol or an alternate prophylactic agent). As with pharmacoeconomic studies of coprescribed misoprostol with NSAIDs, the most favourable results with the combined formulation of diclofenac/misoprostol appear to be in patients at high risk of developing NSAID-associated gastroduodenal ulcers (e.g. the elderly). Although economic analyses with diclofenac/misoprostol were conducted in several different countries using a variety of methodologies and employing a wide range of clinical and economic assumptions, results have been generally favourable for the combined formulation. However, as is the case with pharmacoeconomic analyses in general, results of individual studies with diclofenac/misoprostol may not be generalisable between countries and are subject to change over time. Overall, clinical and economic data suggest that the optimal and most cost-effective use of the combined formulation of diclofenac/misoprostol is in patients requiring long term NSAID therapy who are at increased risk of developing NSAID-induced gastropathy, such as elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009520 New Zealand A group of islands in the southwest Pacific. Its capital is Wellington. It was discovered by the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642 and circumnavigated by Cook in 1769. Colonized in 1840 by the New Zealand Company, it became a British crown colony in 1840 until 1907 when colonial status was terminated. New Zealand is a partly anglicized form of the original Dutch name Nieuw Zeeland, new sea land, possibly with reference to the Dutch province of Zeeland. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p842 & Room, Brewer's Dictionary of Names, 1992, p378)
D010437 Peptic Ulcer Ulcer that occurs in the regions of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT which come into contact with GASTRIC JUICE containing PEPSIN and GASTRIC ACID. It occurs when there are defects in the MUCOSA barrier. The common forms of peptic ulcers are associated with HELICOBACTER PYLORI and the consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Gastroduodenal Ulcer,Marginal Ulcer,Gastroduodenal Ulcers,Marginal Ulcers,Peptic Ulcers,Ulcer, Gastroduodenal,Ulcer, Marginal,Ulcer, Peptic,Ulcers, Gastroduodenal,Ulcers, Marginal,Ulcers, Peptic
D003365 Costs and Cost Analysis Absolute, comparative, or differential costs pertaining to services, institutions, resources, etc., or the analysis and study of these costs. Affordability,Analysis, Cost,Cost,Cost Analysis,Cost Comparison,Cost Measures,Cost-Minimization Analysis,Costs and Cost Analyses,Costs, Cost Analysis,Pricing,Affordabilities,Analyses, Cost,Analyses, Cost-Minimization,Analysis, Cost-Minimization,Comparison, Cost,Comparisons, Cost,Cost Analyses,Cost Comparisons,Cost Measure,Cost Minimization Analysis,Cost, Cost Analysis,Cost-Minimization Analyses,Costs,Measure, Cost,Measures, Cost
D004008 Diclofenac A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) with antipyretic and analgesic actions. It is primarily available as the sodium salt. Diclophenac,Dichlofenal,Diclofenac Potassium,Diclofenac Sodium,Diclonate P,Dicrofenac,Feloran,GP-45,840,Novapirina,Orthofen,Orthophen,Ortofen,SR-38,Sodium Diclofenac,Voltaren,Voltarol,Diclofenac, Sodium,GP 45,840,GP45,840,SR 38,SR38
D004338 Drug Combinations Single preparations containing two or more active agents, for the purpose of their concurrent administration as a fixed dose mixture. Drug Combination,Combination, Drug,Combinations, Drug
D004341 Drug Evaluation Any process by which toxicity, metabolism, absorption, elimination, preferred route of administration, safe dosage range, etc., for a drug or group of drugs is determined through clinical assessment in humans or veterinary animals. Evaluation Studies, Drug,Drug Evaluation Studies,Drug Evaluation Study,Drug Evaluations,Evaluation Study, Drug,Evaluation, Drug,Evaluations, Drug,Studies, Drug Evaluation,Study, Drug Evaluation
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000894 Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory agents that are non-steroidal in nature. In addition to anti-inflammatory actions, they have analgesic, antipyretic, and platelet-inhibitory actions. They act by blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, which converts arachidonic acid to cyclic endoperoxides, precursors of prostaglandins. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis accounts for their analgesic, antipyretic, and platelet-inhibitory actions; other mechanisms may contribute to their anti-inflammatory effects. Analgesics, Anti-Inflammatory,Aspirin-Like Agent,Aspirin-Like Agents,NSAID,Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agent,Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents,Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agent,Anti Inflammatory Agents, Nonsteroidal,Antiinflammatory Agents, Non Steroidal,Antiinflammatory Agents, Nonsteroidal,NSAIDs,Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents,Agent, Aspirin-Like,Agent, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory,Agent, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory,Anti-Inflammatory Agent, Non-Steroidal,Anti-Inflammatory Agent, Nonsteroidal,Anti-Inflammatory Analgesics,Aspirin Like Agent,Aspirin Like Agents,Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Agent,Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Agents,Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Agent,Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Agents,Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents
D000897 Anti-Ulcer Agents Various agents with different action mechanisms used to treat or ameliorate PEPTIC ULCER or irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. This has included ANTIBIOTICS to treat HELICOBACTER INFECTIONS; HISTAMINE H2 ANTAGONISTS to reduce GASTRIC ACID secretion; and ANTACIDS for symptomatic relief. Anti-Ulcer Drugs,Agents, Anti-Ulcer,Anti Ulcer Agents,Anti Ulcer Drugs,Drugs, Anti-Ulcer
D016595 Misoprostol A synthetic analog of natural prostaglandin E1. It produces a dose-related inhibition of gastric acid and pepsin secretion, and enhances mucosal resistance to injury. It is an effective anti-ulcer agent and also has oxytocic properties. Apo-Misoprostol,Cytotec,Glefos,Misoprostol, (11alpha,13E)-Isomer,Misoprostol, (11alpha,13E,16R)-Isomer,Misoprostol, (11alpha,13Z)-(+-)-Isomer,Misoprostol, (11alpha.13E,16S)-Isomer,Misoprostol, (11beta,13E)-(+-)-Isomer,Misoprostol, (11beta,13E,16R)-Isomer,Misoprostol, (11beta,13E,16S)-Isomer,Novo-Misoprostol,SC-29333,SC-30249,Apo Misoprostol,Novo Misoprostol,SC 29333,SC 30249,SC29333,SC30249

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