Prevention of preterm delivery: nifedipine or magnesium sulfate.
OBJECTIVE
to establish the efficacy and safety of nifedipine and magnesium sulfate in arresting preterm labor.


METHODS
seventy-four patients with singleton pregnancies at 23-36 weeks in preterm labor, were selected randomly to receive either oral nifedipine or intravenous magnesium sulfate.


RESULTS
both drugs had similar tocolytic efficacy and side effects while nifedipine was faster than magnesium sulfate in arresting uterine contractions (4.8 +/- 4.23 vs. 2.98 +/- 3.03 h) P = 0.04.


CONCLUSIONS
this data suggests that oral nifedipine with the same efficacy, side effects and faster action could be a suitable and more convenient alternative to intravenous magnesium sulfate in arresting preterm labor.
Haghighi
L
L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iran University, Tehran.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011897:Random Allocation; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D009543:Nifedipine