title: Comparison of the efficacy and adverse effects of nifedipine and indomethacin for the treatment of preterm labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness and adverse effects of nifedipine versus indomethacin in the treatment of preterm labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized clinical trial, 79 women with labor pain at 26-33 weeks of gestation were treated with either oral nifedipine (n=40) or rectal indomethacin (n=39).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three (59%) women in the indomethacin group, and 10 (25%) in the nifedipine group did not respond to treatment (P=0.002). None of the 16 and 30 women remaining in the indomethacin and nifedipine groups, respectively, delivered during the subsequent 48 hours. Of these remaining women, 1 (6.25%) in the indomethacin group and 4 (13.3%) in the nifedipine group delivered between 48 hours and 7 days (P=0.162). For the women who responded to treatment, the mean gestational age at time of delivery was 238.5±19.4 days and 246.4±15.4 days in the nifedipine and indomethacin groups, respectively (P=0.182). Seventeen (42.5%) women in the nifedipine group, and 11 (28.2%) in the indomethacin group showed adverse effects (P=0.184).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indomethacin was less effective than nifedipine for the fast treatment of preterm labor. For women who responded to treatment within 2 hours, however, the delaying of delivery by indomethacin was similar to that by nifedipine.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akbarabadi Teaching Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. maryamkashanian@yahoo.com
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Kashanian
authors: Shohreh
authors: S
authors: Bahasadri
authors: Bita
authors: B
authors: Zolali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000517:prevention & control; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D009543:Nifedipine; D007213:Indomethacin