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Cost-effectiveness of venlafaxine XL compared with diazepam in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder in the United Kingdom

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Abstract

This study used decision modelling to compare the cost-effectiveness of venlafaxine XL (Efexor XL) to that of diazepam to treat non-depressed patients suffering from generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), from the perspective of the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS). Starting treatment with venlafaxine XL instead of diazepam significantly increased the expected probability of being in remission by 83% at 6 months (from 16.8% to 30.7%), and the expected probability of relapsing at 6 months was decreased by 79% (from 16.9% to 3.5%). The expected 6-month NHS cost of using venlafaxine XL to treat GAD was estimated to be £353 compared to £311 with diazepam. Hence starting GAD treatment with venlafaxine XL (75 mg per day) instead of diazepam (5 mg three times per day) is clinically more effective and the cost-effective strategy for managing non-depressed patients suffering from GAD in the UK.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the following for their contributions: Dr. M. Ahmad, The Surgery, Burntwood; Dr. W. Cremin, The Surgery, Bournemouth; Dr. S. Hope, The Surgery, Oxford; Dr. S. Mahanty, East Moore Health Centre, Wakefield; Dr. M. Mashru, King Edwards Medical Centre, Ruislip; Dr. I. McLean, The College Practice, Maidstone; Dr. J. Nankani, Hillcrest Medical Centre, Wrexham; Dr. I. Nelemans, St. Alban’s Medical Centre, Bournemouth; Dr. S. Nelson, Overton Park Surgery, Cheltenham; Dr. B. Shrestha, The Maples Medical Centre, Staveley; Dr. B. Thacker, The Consulting Rooms, South Oxhey; Dr. M. Walling, Parkside Surgery, Boston. This study was sponsored financially by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. However, the authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this manuscript. In particular, the authors will neither gain or lose financially from the publication of these findings. The authors have no other financial competing interests; neither do they have any non-financial competing interests in relation to this study.

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  1. J. F. Guest

    Present address: Catalyst Health Economics Consultants, 34b High Street, Northwood, HA6 1BN, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Catalyst Health Economics Consultants, Northwood, UK

    J. F. Guest & J. Russ

  2. Wyeth Laboratories, Maidenhead, UK

    A. Lenox-Smith

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  1. J. F. Guest
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  2. J. Russ
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  3. A. Lenox-Smith
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Correspondence to J. F. Guest.

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Guest, J.F., Russ, J. & Lenox-Smith, A. Cost-effectiveness of venlafaxine XL compared with diazepam in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder in the United Kingdom. Eur J Health Econ 6, 136–145 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-004-0272-z

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