A Prospective Controlled Trial Comparing Different Tocolytic Drugs for Prevention of Preterm Labor

Objective: Was to evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of indomethacin versus Nifedipene Vs Nitroglycerin in prevention of preterm labor. Setting: Kasr El-Aini Hospital, Cairo University. Design: Prospective controlled trial. Participants Methods: Ninety singleton pregnant women with threatened preterm labor were divided in three groups: Group I received Nifedipene, Group II received indomethacin and Group III received Nitroglycerin. Tocolysis was stopped if uterine contractions stopped for 24 hours or progression of the condition to established preterm delivery with continuation of uterine contractions and cervical dilatation more than 4cm. Results: Nifedipene delayed delivery for 48 hours in 83% of the patients. Hypotension was encountered in 7 patients, 12 patients complained from headache. In patients treated with indomethacin, 83% showed prolongation of pregnancy for more than 48 hours. Complications encountered with indomethacin were gastrointestinal complications like epigas- tric pain, nausea and vomiting which occurred in 4 patients, nitroglycerin delayed delivery for 48 hours in 83% of the patients, nitroglycerin was not well tolerated by the patients. Conclusion: The findings of this study would support the use of these cheap and available drugs for prevention of preterm labor with limited side effects.