title: Risk-benefit effects of tocolytic therapy.
abstract: Tocolytics are potent drugs that are used to interdict preterm labour. Although all of these agents have some side effects, if not frankly adverse effects under certain clinical situations, two of these drugs, the beta-mimetics and magnesium sulphate (MgSO(4)), have been found to have considerable potential for adverse maternal cardiovascular and respiratory effects. Furthermore, magnesium sulphate has been shown to have harmful, indeed, sometimes lethal, effects in some babies. Although less well established, NSAIDs, the most common example of which is indomethacin, also have some important adverse effects in fetuses. Within the limits of contemporary scientific knowledge, calcium channel blockers, such as nifedipine, appear to be among the more efficacious and safer drugs that are currently being used for tocolysis.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, USA.
authors.forename: Peter G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Pryde
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janeczek
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mittendorf
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000151:congenital / Q000517:prevention & control; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000517:prevention & control; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015145:Tocolysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D010121:Oxytocin; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate