Costs and outcomes of extended-release vs. immediate-release clarithromycin for lower respiratory tract infections

Abstract

We used decision-analysis modeling to compare costs and outcomes of clarithromycin extended-release (Biaxin XL, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA) and clarithromycin immediate-release (Biaxin, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA) for outpatients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). More patients achieved clinical cure with extended-release (83.9%) versus immediate-release (72.8%); fewer discontinued due to adverse events. Total costs with extended-release were $32 (16%) less; incorporating greater adherence for extended-release (once-daily) therapy resulted in greater savings. Results indicate that clarithromycin extended-release is cost-saving compared with immediate-release for LRTI