Abstract | OBJECTIVE: DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomised double-blind multicountry clinical trial followed by economic modelling from the treatment provider perspective. PATIENTS: METHODS: The clinical trial compared the efficacy and safety of emedastine 0.05% and levocabastine 0.05%, both twice daily, for 42 days, using ocular redness, itching, days without symptoms and clinical failure as outcome measures. The cost of first-line treatment failure, including visits, drugs and laboratory examinations, was established in each country from a panel of ophthalmologists and general practitioners. Full sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: From day 7 to 42, patients treated with emedastine had less itching (p < 0.001) and less redness (p < 0.001). The failure rate was 10% less (p < 0.02) with emedastine and patients treated with emedastine had an incremental 8.5 days (p < 0.01) without symptoms. Emedastine and levocabastine were equally well tolerated. In all European countries, the cost of failure was lower with emedastine. Emedastine was found to be economically dominant relative to levocabastine, i.e. more effective and less expensive, in Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Sweden; in France, The Netherlands and Norway the incremental cost was low (less than 1 euro per additional symptom-free day). CONCLUSION: Through a model based on a randomised clinical trial and cost estimates of treatment failure derived from practitioner interviews, emedastine is a cost-effective treatment of AAC.
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Authors | C G Pinto, A Lafuma, F Fagnani, M J Nuijten, G Berdeaux |
Journal | PharmacoEconomics
(Pharmacoeconomics)
Vol. 19
Issue 3
Pg. 255-65
( 2001)
ISSN: 1170-7690 [Print] New Zealand |
PMID | 11303414
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Benzimidazoles
- Histamine H1 Antagonists
- Piperidines
- emedastine
- levocabastine
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Topics |
- Benzimidazoles
(therapeutic use)
- Conjunctivitis, Allergic
(drug therapy)
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Double-Blind Method
- Health Care Costs
- Histamine H1 Antagonists
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Piperidines
(therapeutic use)
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