Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 Oct;61(5):534-7.
doi: 10.1007/s13224-011-0083-y. Epub 2011 Nov 9.

Nifedipine versus ritodrine for suppression of preterm labor and analysis of side effects

Purushottam Bankatlal Jaju  1 , Veena B Dhabadi
Affiliations

Nifedipine versus ritodrine for suppression of preterm labor and analysis of side effects

Purushottam Bankatlal Jaju et al. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2011 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the tocolytic efficacy of Nifedipine and Ritodrine, their adverse effects and neonatal outcome.

Design: Prospective randomized trial.

Methods: One hundred twenty women with clinical features of preterm labor fulfilling designated inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. They were allocated to either nifedipine group or Ritodrine group by using simple randomization technique. Tocolytic efficacy, maternal side effects and neonatal outcomes were evaluated. Tools of statistical analysis used were Epi Info software and Chi square test.

Results: Tocolysis was successful i.e., prolongation of pregnancy for 48 h in 54 (90%) women in Nifedipine group as compared to 41 (68.3%) women in Ritodrine group (P value = 0.003 and χ(2) = 8.54). The prolongation of pregnancy up to 37 weeks was observed in 28 women (46.6%) in Nifedipine group compared to 16 women (26.6%) in Ritodrine group (P value = 0.033). 18 women (30%) in Nifedipine group had side effects compared to 48 women (80%) in Ritodrine group (P value < 0.001). Neonatal outcome was similar in both the groups.

Conclusion: Oral Nifedipine is cheaper and effective alternative which has fewer and less serious side effects as compared to I.V. Ritodrine for suppression of the preterm labor.

Keywords: Nifedipine; Preterm labor; Ritodrine; Tocolysis.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Kupferminc M, Lessing JB, Yaron Y, et al. Nifedipine versus Ritodrine for suppression preterm labour. Br J Obstet Gynecol. 1993;100:1090–1094. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1993.tb15171.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ferguson JE, II, Dyson DC, Schutz T, et al. A comparison of tocolysis with nifedipine or Ritodrine: analysis of efficacy and maternal fetal and neonatal outcome. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1990;163:105–112. - PubMed
    1. Meyer WR, Randall HW, Graves WL. Nifedipine versus Ritodrine for suppressing preterm labour. J Reprod Med. 1990;35:649–653. - PubMed
    1. Papatsonis DNM, Blaker OP, Vangeijn HP, et al. Nifedipine and Ritodrine in the management of preterm labour: a randomized multicenter trial. Obstet Gynecol. 1997;90:230–234. doi: 10.1016/S0029-7844(97)00182-8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ganla KM, Shroff SA, Desai S, et al. A prospective comparison of Nifedipine and Isoxsuprine for tocolysis. J Obstet Gynecol India 1999;259–63.

LinkOut - more resources