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To assess cost differences between dutasteride and finasteride use within the first year of initiating treatment for enlarged prostate (EP) among men agedor =65 years in a managed care setting.For this retrospective analysis, medical/pharmacy claims data from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2006, were analyzed for EP patients agedor =65 years who were treated with dutasteride or finasteride. Analysis of average monthly costs over each patient's 1-year follow-up period incorporated total charges for EP-related medical care, including physician, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, emergency department, and other ancillary services.A total of 4498 patients met selection criteria, with comparable demographics between treatment cohorts. Patients taking dutasteride incurred $51 less per month in medical expenses than finasteride-treated patients ($122 vs $173; P.001), attributable to lower monthly inpatient hospitalization costs ($55.84 vs $70.34), outpatient costs ($22.07 vs $44.25), and physician office visit costs ($40.69 vs $51.10).Medicare-aged patients treated with dutasteride incurred $51 less per month in medical costs than those treated with generic finasteride, suggesting that the higher price of dutasteride may be offset by decreased medical resource consumption. |
