A Cost-effect Analysis of Nifedipine and Metoprolol in the Treatment of Hypertension

Objective:To evaluate the pharmacoeconomic effect of nifedipin and metoprolol used alone and in combination in the treatment of hypertension. Methods: 90 patients with essential hypertension were randomly divided into 3 equal groups: A, B and C. Patients of group A were given each 25 mg of metoprolol PO, b.i.d.; patients of group B, 10 mg of nifedipine PO, b.i.d.; those of group C, both nifedipine and metoprolol in the same dose as in group A and B, PO, b.i.d. The course of treatment in all 3 groups lasted 4 weeks. Results:The total costs of group A, B and C schemes were 35.5,56.9,and 78.4 yuan, respectively, while the effective rates were 82.1%, 82.8% and 90.0%, respectively. The cost effect ratios were found to be 0.43, 0.69 and 0.87, respertively. Conclusion:Nifedipine in combination with metoprolol was shown to be the best scheme for the treatment of essential hypertension.