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Am J Perinatol 1991; 8(6): 365-369
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999417
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1991 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Comparison of Nifedipine and Ritodrine for the Treatment of Preterm Labor

Luis A. Bracero, Enid Leikin, Nancy Kirshenbaum, Nergesh Tejani
  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Medical College, Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, New York
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Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Treatment of preterm labor with beta-sympathomimetics has been questioned because of the many maternal and fetal complications associated with its use. Nifedipine, a calcium antagonist, has been shown to suppress uterine activity in vitro and in vivo. A randomized prospective study was performed to compare the efficacy of nifedipine to ritodrine in the suppression of preterm labor. Data obtained from 42 women, of which 19 were randomized to the ritodrine group and 23 to the nifedipine group, were analyzed. Ritodrine and nifedipine proved to be equally effective in the suppression of preterm labor. However, the nifedipine group had fewer maternal and fetal complications.