Almotriptan versus sumatriptan in migraine treatment: direct medical costs of managing adverse chest symptoms.

Author(s): Mannix LK, Adelman JU, Goldfarb SD, Von S, Kozma CM

Affiliation(s): Headache Wellness Center, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.

Publication date & source: 2002-02, Am J Manag Care., 8(3 Suppl):S94-101.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial; Review

OBJECTIVE: Triptans, a popular class of drugs for treatment of migraine headaches, can cause adverse events including chest symptoms. This study estimated the direct medical costs of managing chest symptoms in patients treated for acute migraine with almotriptan or sumatriptan using an economic model. METHODS: The economic model of this study combined data from a randomized clinical trial that compared almotriptan with sumatriptan and data from a practice pattern survey of physicians. The pertinent clinical evaluation period was the time immediately after administration of the first medication dose. The model was developed from the perspective of a managed care payer. RESULTS: The average direct medical cost of managing chest symptoms that appeared after the first dose of an oral triptan was $0.22 for patients treated with almotriptan and $1.64 for patients treated with sumatriptan, a difference of $1.42 per patient. CONCLUSION: Relative to sumatriptan, treatment with almotriptan is likely to reduce patient care costs associated with chest symptom adverse events.