Probabilistic cost-effectiveness analysis of oral eletriptan in the treatment of acute migraine in Portugal

Abstract

This article explores the application of cost-effectiveness analyses to the use of triptanes (5-HT1 Serotonin agonist) in the pharmacologic treatment of migraine, on the primary and secondary health care, in Portugal. The cost-effectiveness of oral eletriptan (40 and 80 mg) is compared to two matrices defined by the consumption of naratriptan (2.5 mg), sumatriptan (50 and 100 mg) and zolmitriptan (2.5 and 5 mg). The effectiveness vector was calculated based on the time without incapacity caused by migraine. The costs reflect the society perspective. We concluded that the utilization of eletriptan allows health gains with cost reduction in the treatment of migraine, and thereby can be considered a cost-effective alternative to the other oral triptans co-financed by the Portuguese National Health Service.