Objective: To assess cost differences between dutasteride and finasteride use within the first year of initiating treatment for enlarged prostate (EP) among men aged > or =65 years in a managed care setting.
Methods: For this retrospective analysis, medical/pharmacy claims data from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2006, were analyzed for EP patients aged > or =65 years who were treated with dutasteride or finasteride. Analysis of average monthly costs over each patient's 1-year follow-up period incorporated total charges for EP-related medical care, including physician, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, emergency department, and other ancillary services.
Results: A total of 4498 patients met selection criteria, with comparable demographics between treatment cohorts. Patients taking dutasteride incurred $51 less per month in medical expenses than finasteride-treated patients ($122 vs $173; P <.001), attributable to lower monthly inpatient hospitalization costs ($55.84 vs $70.34), outpatient costs ($22.07 vs $44.25), and physician office visit costs ($40.69 vs $51.10).
Conclusion: Medicare-aged patients treated with dutasteride incurred $51 less per month in medical costs than those treated with generic finasteride, suggesting that the higher price of dutasteride may be offset by decreased medical resource consumption.