Prevention of preterm delivery: nifedipine or magnesium sulfate

Abstract

Objective: to establish the efficacy and safety of nifedipine and magnesium sulfate in arresting preterm labor.

Method: seventy-four patients with singleton pregnancies at 23-36 weeks in preterm labor, were selected randomly to receive either oral nifedipine or intravenous magnesium sulfate.

Results: both drugs had similar tocolytic efficacy and side effects while nifedipine was faster than magnesium sulfate in arresting uterine contractions (4.8 +/- 4.23 vs. 2.98 +/- 3.03 h) P = 0.04.

Conclusion: this data suggests that oral nifedipine with the same efficacy, side effects and faster action could be a suitable and more convenient alternative to intravenous magnesium sulfate in arresting preterm labor.