title: Prostaglandin inhibitors as tocolytic agents.
abstract: Indomethacin, a nonspecific prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, gained popularity several decades ago as a potent tocolytic agent. This popularity, however, was tempered by concerns over fetal and neonatal complications associated with its use. However, with better recognition of the safety limitations, there has been a renewed interest in using indomethacin for acute tocolysis. More recently, the tocolytic potential of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) specific inhibitors has gained much interest as well as the theoretical minimization of side effects associated with these agents. This article reviews the pharmacology and efficacy of indomethacin and some of the newer cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, and discusses the potential adverse fetal and neonatal effects associated with their use. Guidelines will be presented that will assist theclinician in using indomethacin as an effective tocolytic while avoiding untoward effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA. vermills@musc.edu
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Vermillion
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Landen
mesh_terms: D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D007213:Indomethacin