title: [Comparison of the rate of maternal complications of nifedipine and nicardipine in cases of preterm labor: historical study on two consecutive periods].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Calcium channel blockers are the most frequently used tocolytics as first-line in France, frequently intravenously (nicardipine [Loxen(®)]). We would like to compare the side effects of intravenous nicardipine and oral nifedipine.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a restrospective study on two consecutive periods. On the first period (March 2007-September 2008), 110 patients received intravenous nicardipine for preterm labor, and 67 patients received oral nifedipine on the second period (October 2008-January 2010). Side effects were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients in the nicardipine-treated group had significantly more side effects (31% versus 16% for nifedipine group, P=0.03). No-administration way related adverse events did not differ between the two groups (P=0.1). There was more low blood pressure in patients treated with nifedipine (P=0.03), but shorter hospital stay (5.4 days versus 7.9 days with nicardipine, P=0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using nifedipine simplifies tocolysis administration, and decreases hospital stays without increasing the risk of prematurity.
authors: Service de gynécologie obstétrique, centre hospitalier intercommunal de Créteil, Créteil, France. enolaas@gmail.com
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Laas
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Deis
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Haddad
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Kayem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D009529:Nicardipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D009529:Nicardipine; D009543:Nifedipine