Abstract
Background: Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder that is responsible for considerable societal and economic burden. This prospective study aims to generate and compare the data on cost effectiveness of the antidepressants Escitalopram and Milnacipran.
Methods: All consenting adults (n =120) diagnosed with depression were treated with open label Escitalopram (10–20 mg) or Milnacipran (50-100mg) for a duration of 8 weeks. The cost effectiveness was calculated by the average rupee cost per responder in both the groups who completed 8 weeks of entire study period without discontinuing medication.
Results: In Escitalopram group, the average cost of medication in responders (83.3%) was 579.1 rupees whereas in Milnacipran group, the average cost in responders (75.6%)who completed 8 weeks of treatment was 593.5 rupees.
Conclusion: Escitalopram is more cost-effective than Milnacipran.
Keywords: Escitalopram, Milnacipran, responders, cost-effectiveness.
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Corresponding Author
Dr Meghna Shinde
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology,
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore
MP, India
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i2.214
