Magnesium sulfate compared with lytic cocktail for women with eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare magnesium sulfate with lytic cocktail for the treatment of eclampsia.


METHODS
The register of trials kept by the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched for randomized trials comparing magnesium sulfate with lytic cocktail for the treatment of eclampsia.


RESULTS
Two studies were included (a total of 199 women). Magnesium sulfate was more effective than lytic cocktail at preventing further convulsions [relative risk (RR) 0.09, 95% confidence interval (C.I.)=0.03-0.24; risk difference=0.43, 95% C.I.=-0.53 to -0.34; number needed to treat=3, 95% C.I.=2-3) and was associated with less respiratory depression (RR=0.12, 95% C.I.=0.02-0.91) and fewer baby deaths (RR=0.26, 95% C.I.=0.26-0.79). There were non-significantly fewer maternal deaths associated with magnesium sulfate (RR=0.25, 95% C.I.=0.04-1.43).


CONCLUSIONS
Magnesium sulfate is the anticonvulsant of choice for eclampsia. Lytic cocktail should be abandoned.
Duley
L
L
Resource Centre for Randomised Trials, Institute of Health Sciences, Oxford, UK. lelia.duley@ndm.ox.ac.uk
Gülmezoglu
A M
AM
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate