Cost of Medications Recommended by Canadian Acne Clinical Practice Guidelines.

BACKGROUND

Acne affects a large proportion of the Canadian population and has psychosocial and financial consequences.

OBJECTIVE

We provide cost information for treatments recommended by the Canadian acne guidelines.

METHODS

Highest level recommendations were selected for 3-month usage cost.

RESULTS

Three-month estimated treatment costs were as follows: topical retinoids ($14.40-$73.80), benzoyl peroxide (BPO; $6.75), fixed-dose BPO-clindamycin ($40.95-$44.10) and BPO-adapalene ($73.80), oral antibiotics ($25.20 for tetracycline 250 mg qid; $52.20 and $52.74 for doxycycline 50 mg bid and 100 mg od, respectively), and hormonal therapy ($26.46-$37.80 for ethinyl estradiol [EE] 0.030 mg/drospirenone 3mg and $75.60-108.99 for EE 0.035 mg/cyproterone acetate 2 mg). Oral isotretinoin 3-month costs ranged from $393.96 to $478.80.

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of costs of recommended treatments may facilitate improved outcomes by increasing procurement and adherence.