Comparison of nifedipine and ritodrine for the treatment of preterm labor.

Abstract

Treatment of preterm labor with beta-sympathomimetics has been questioned because of the many maternal and fetal complications associated with its use. Nifedipine, a calcium antagonist, has been shown to suppress uterine activity in vitro and in vivo. A randomized prospective study was performed to compare the efficacy of nifedipine to ritodrine in the suppression of preterm labor. Data obtained from 42 women, of which 19 were randomized to the ritodrine group and 23 to the nifedipine group, were analyzed. Ritodrine and nifedipine proved to be equally effective in the suppression of preterm labor. However, the nifedipine group had fewer maternal and fetal complications.

• Authors: L A Bracero, E Leikin, N Kirshenbaum, N Tejani
• Journal: American journal of perinatology (Am J Perinatol) Vol. 8 Issue 6 Pg. 365-9 (Nov 1991) ISSN: 0735-1631 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1814297 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Ritodrine
• Nifedipine

Topics

• Adult
• Birth Weight
• Female
• Fetus (drug effects)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Newborn, Diseases (epidemiology)
• Nifedipine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Obstetric Labor, Premature (drug therapy)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Complications (epidemiology)
• Pregnancy Outcome
• Prospective Studies
• Ritodrine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Tocolysis (methods)
• Treatment Outcome