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Review
. 2011:2011:941057.
doi: 10.1155/2011/941057. Epub 2011 Nov 15.

Prevention of preterm labour: 2011 update on tocolysis

C Hubinont  1 , F Debieve
Affiliations
Review

Prevention of preterm labour: 2011 update on tocolysis

C Hubinont et al. J Pregnancy. 2011.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to review available data about drugs for preventing preterm labour. Tocolytic therapy includes β adrenergic receptor agonists, NO donors, magnesium sulphate, prostaglandin-synthase inhibitors, oxytocin receptor antagonists, calcium-channel blockers, progesterone, 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, and antibiotics. Their specific effects on myometrial contractility, their safety, their efficiency, and side effects profile for the mother and the fetus are presented. The main question of why and for what reasons tocolysis should be administrated is discussed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mechanisms of action for tocolytics.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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