Objective: Pharmacoeconomic assessment of two tocolysis protocols alternatively using atosiban or ritodrine as first-choice tocolytic agent able to delay birth for 48 hours in the acute management of premature birth risk in gravid women.
Methods: The modeling technique used for the selection of the most efficient protocol was the decision analysis. A search for controlled clinical trials comparing the effectiveness and/or safety of atosiban versus ritodrine was performed in Medline and the Cochrane Library. Only differential costs were considered for cost analysis.
Results: Cost-effectiveness obtained with the protocol including ritodrine as first-choice drug was Euros 194/effectiveness unit, and Euros 632/effectiveness unit when atosiban is used. The sensitivity analysis shows sensitivity only for an incidence of acute lung edema greater than 8% or a cost of at least Euros 50,000.
Conclusion: A tocolysis protocol using ritodrine as first-choice agent and atosiban as rescue drug is the most efficient option based on available evidence. In pregnant women where the likelihood of developing acute pulmonary edema is high, or when therapy cost is high, atosiban may be an appropriate alternative option.