NIFEDIPINO VERSUS RITODRINA THREAT PRETERM LABOR

Abstract

OBJETIVE: To compare the efficacy, tolerability and safety of nifedipine with ritodrine on the threat of preterm delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized clinical trial that between 1998 and 1999, studied 70 women with singleton pregnancies who were randomly distributed into 2 groups of 35 patients to be treated with ritodrine or nifedipine. PLACE: E Sergio Bernales Hospital Collique, teaching hospital. RESULTS: Time of prolongation of gestation was 13.3 ± 9.8 days for ritodrine and 16.9 ± 10.4 days for nifedipine. RN gestational age was 34.9 ± 3.8 weeks and 35.3 ± 4.1 weeks for ritodrine and nifedipine, respectively. Newborn weights were 2259 ± 805 g for ritodrine and 2392 ± 828 g for nifedipine (p = NS). 94% of patients treated with ritodrine had one or more side effects, while only 28.5% of the nifedipine group had discomfort (p = 0.00001). Were side effects of ritodrine maternal and fetal tachycardia, tremor, headache. palpitations, dizziness; nifedipine produced hypotension, headache and dizziness. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of preterm labor, nifedipine is as effective as ritodrine and is associated with less side effects.