title: Oral nifedipine vs. intravenous labetalol for treatment of pregnancy-induced severe pre-eclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pre-eclampsia is one of the most challenging diseases of pregnancy. Both nifedipine and labetalol have been used for treatment of pregnancy-induced severe pre-eclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, the efficacy and safety of oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol for severe pre-eclampsia therapy were compared. Eligible pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia (n = 147) were allocated to receive either oral nifedipine or intravenous labetalol. The primary endpoint of the study was the time needed to achieve target blood pressure. Secondary outcomes were the time interval before a new hypertensive crisis following effective blood pressure control, number of doses and adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that the time taken to achieve effective blood pressure control was 35 vs. 42 min for oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol, respectively (P = 0·37). Compared with labetalol group, no significant difference was observed regarding time interval and drug dosages in nifedipine arm. Moreover, no serious side effects on maternal or perinatal were observed in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that both oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol are effective for safely reducing blood pressure to target levels in patients with severe pre-eclampsia.
authors: Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, China.
authors: D-D
authors: DD
authors: Shi
authors: Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, China.
authors: F-Z
authors: FZ
authors: Yang
authors: Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, China.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Zhou
authors: Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, China. wangna19860101@163.com.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D007741:Labetalol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009543:Nifedipine; D007741:Labetalol
keywords: labetalol; nifedipine; pre-eclampsia; pregnancy