A Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Amlodipine, Felodipine and Slow-release Nifedipine in the Treatment of Hypertension

Objective:To compare the economic benefit of amlodipine, felodipine and slow release nifedipine in the treatment of hypertension. Method:152 patients with hypertension selected according to the literature served as subjects of the study. Amlodipine (5 mg, PO, qd), felodipine(5 mg, PO, qd) and slow release nifedipine (30 mg, PO, qd) were used in the treatment of 53, 50, 49 patients, respectively, for 2 consecutive weeks. Relevant situations were evaluated by a pharmacoeconomic cost-effectiveness analysis. Results:The rates of excellent effectiveness of amlodipine, felodipine and slow release nifedipine were 47.17%, 36.00% and 30.61%, respectively, and amlodipine had the lowest cost effectiveness ratio. Conclusion:Amlodipine was found to be superior to felodipine and slow release nifedipine in the treatment of hypertension. It is a drug with a fairly good cost effect.