Análisis farmacoeconómico del esquema corto de praziquantel en el tratamiento de la neurocisticercosis / Pharmacoeconomic analysis of the short scheme praziquantel in the treatment of neurocysticercosis

ABSTRACT

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.