How to solve the problem of drug choice within the same class from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine?

Abstract

The question of the possibility of the most effective drug choosing within one class from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine is considered in the article. Drugs belonging to the same class may have both great similarities and significant differences. This is demonstrated by the example of different classes of drugs (beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and new oral anticoagulants). The choice of the most effective (from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine) is impossible if there are no direct comparisons in randomized controlled studies between drugs of the same class that have demonstrated their effectiveness separately. Analysis of observational studies (large databases, registers) to identify the most effective drug in a class cannot be used to solve the problem of the superiority of a drug within a class.

Keywords

• class effect
• randomized controlled studies
• problems of drug choice within the same class