Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2001 Jun;44(6):1165-1170.

A Comparison for Efficacy and Safety of Magnesium Sulfate(Magrose), Ritodrine Hydrochloride(Yutopar) and Nifedipine(Adalat) in the Management of Preterm Labor

• Kim JH
• Ahn KH
• Kim JY
• Jeong YJ
• Cho SN

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of magnesium sulfate, ritodrine hydrochloride and nifedipine in the management of preterm labor.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
180 women with documented preterm labor were randomly assigned to receive magnesium sulfate (n=60), ritodrine hydrochloride (n=60) and nifedipine (n=60) as initial tocolytic therapy. 30 women with documented preterm labor were allocated to administer fluid only and bed rest as control group. Patient could be switched to another tocolytic regimen if they continued to have contractions or side effects. The main outcome variables examined were days gain in utero, success rate, side effects and neonatal outcome.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in maternal characteristics between the groups. The days gain in utero was no statistically different in the three groups(magnesium sulfate, ritodrine hydrochloride and nifedipine) but markedly longer in the three groups than the control group (p<.01). The total success rate was similar in the three groups, but side effects were much more in the magnesium sulfate and ritodrine group than the nifedipine group (p<.05). The respiratory distress syndrome in neonate was decreased in the three groups than the control group without statistical significance.
CONCLUSION
Nifedipine is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated tocolytic agent. In this retrospective study, total success rate of controlling preterm labor was similar in the three groups, but patients who received nifedipine were less side effects than magnesium sulfate or ritodrine group.

Keyword

Preterm labor; Magnesium sulfate; Ritodrine hydrochloride; Nifedipine

MeSH Terms

Bed Rest
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Magnesium Sulfate
Magnesium*
Nifedipine
Obstetric Labor, Premature*
Pregnancy
Retrospective Studies
Ritodrine*
Tocolysis
Magnesium
Magnesium Sulfate
Nifedipine
Ritodrine