[Pharmacoeconomic analysis of the short scheme praziquantel in the treatment of neurocysticercosis].

The effectiveness of the treatment of neurocysticercosis with praziquantel has been assessed in several clinical trials in the last 20 years. Most studies employed a dose of 50 mg/kg/day, three times at day during 2 weeks. Recently, a novel and brief dosage scheme of praziquantel has been described. This scheme employs three doses of 25 mg/kg, and all are administered separately on the same day, with interval of 2 hours. This scheme has a direct impact on direct costs (cost of drugs), with a 90% reduction of the traditional scheme. In addition to a favorable impact on direct costs, the impact on indirect costs is important: with the short-scheme, hospitalization in unnecessary, and costs of hospital visits for patient and family is avoided, with subsequent improvement of emotional status and family environment.