Summary
This retrospective, observational study was designed to compare once-daily with conventional aminoglycoside administration for costs while determining equivalency in efficacy and toxicity.
100 consecutive patients who had been treated with once-daily aminoglycosides after 1st August 1993, were evaluated via retrospective chart review. For comparison, 100 consecutive patients who were treated with conventional regimens of aminoglycosides, over the same calender period 1 year earlier (beginning on 1st August 1992), were evaluated in a similar manner. Aminoglycoside antibacterials, excluding amikacin, were administered as a single daily dose of 6 mg/kg.
89 patients were cured or improved with once-daily administration versus 90 patients with conventional administration. One patient in each group developed definite aminoglycoside-induced renal toxicity. The total cost [in 1993 Canadian dollars ($Can)] per patient for once-daily and conventionally administered aminoglycosides was $Can97.62 and $Can 199.43, respectively.
Thus, once-daily administration of aminoglycosides is as effective and well tolerated, while considerably less expensive than, aminoglycoside treatment utilising conventional regimens.
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Mithani, H., Brown, G. The Economic Impact of Once-Daily versus Conventional Administration of Gentamicin and Tobramycin. Pharmacoeconomics 10, 494–503 (1996). https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-199610050-00007
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00019053-199610050-00007