Metformin and azithromycin lower acquisition costs than amoxicillin-metronidazole for periodontitis: cost analysis
This observational cost comparison analysed 445 antibiotic prescriptions for periodontitis at a UK dental hospital between 2021-2024. Azithromycin reduced acquisition costs by 55% compared to guideline-recommended amoxicillin plus metronidazole (£2.81 per course). Non-antimicrobial adjuncts including metformin 500 mg achieved up to 91% cost reductions depending on treatment duration.
What this changes
The finding has not established an approved change to our evidence assessment.
Source date: Sep 18, 2026 · Discovered: Sep 19, 2026 · Assessed: — · Research update
What it does not prove
- Limitations have not yet been verified. Read the primary source.
Extracted from supplied source material; model confidence is not a measured probability of correctness.
Study details
- Design
- Observational
- Sample size
- 643
- Duration
- 36 months
- Population
- Antibiotic prescriptions issued at Charles Clifford Dental Hospital for periodontitis treatment
- Primary outcome
- NHS acquisition costs of systemic antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial adjuncts for periodontal therapy
- Effect size
- Azithromycin: 55.16% cost reduction compared to A+M; Metformin 500 mg: up to 91.46% cost reduction
- Significance
- Not reported
- Journal
- British Dental Journal
- Published
- Sep 18, 2026
Sources
Primary source
- British dental journal ↗Peer reviewed
Assessment history
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