Cost-Effectiveness of Injectable Extended-Release Naltrexone Compared with Methadone Maintenance and Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment for Opioid Dependence
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online April, 2015
Cost-Effectiveness of Injectable Extended-Release Naltrexone Compared with Methadone Maintenance and Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment for Opioid Dependence
The aim of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of injectable extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) compared with methadone maintenance and buprenorphine maintenance treatment (MMT and BMT, respectively) for adult males enrolled in treatment for opioid dependence in the United States from the perspective of state-level addiction treatment payers.
Methods
A Markov model with daily time cycles was used to estimate the incremental cost per opioid-free day in a simulated cohort of adult males aged 18–65 over a 6-month period from the state health program perspective.
Results
XR-NTX is predicted to be more effective and more costly than methadone or buprenorphine in our target population, with an incremental cost per opioid-free day gained relative to the next-most effective treatment (MMT) of $72. The cost-effectiveness of XR-NTX relative to MMT was driven by its effectiveness in deterring opioid use while receiving treatment.
Conclusions
XR-NTX is a cost-effective medication for treating opioid dependence if state addiction treatment payers are willing to pay at least $72 per opioid-free day.
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