Cost-effectiveness of felodipine-metoprolol (Logimax) and enalapril in the treatment of hypertension.

We present results from a Swedish retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis of felodipine-metoprolol (Logimax) and enalapril in hypertension. In the 8-week trial, the average reduction of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the share of patients reaching target DBP were both significantly greater in the felodipine-metoprolol group. Cost of treatment (costs of drugs and physician visits) was somewhat higher in the felodipine-metoprolol group. After 8 weeks, an extra 4.8 mmHg reduction and an additional 22% of patients reaching target DBP were achieved with felodipine-metoprolol at the extra cost of SEK 19 (Swedish kronor, $US I=SEK 7.90). The incremental cost per mmHg reduction and per patient reaching target DBP was calculated at SEK 4 and SEK 86, respectively. Average cost-effectiveness ratios showed that the costs per mmHg reduction and per patient reaching target DBP after 8 weeks were 40 and 34% lower in the felodipine-metoprolol group, respectively. In conclusion, felodipine-metoprolol is cost-effective in the treatment of hypertension.