Comparative Study between Ritodrine and Nifedipine for Suppression of Preterm Labour

Objective: The objective was to compare the efficacy, and safety of ritodrine and nifedipine in preventing or delaying premature labor. Design: Randomized, controlled trial of 70 women experiencing preterm labor varying from 24 to 35 completed weeks gestation. The women were randomized to receive either ritodrine intravenously (group I, n=35), or nifedipine orally (group II, n=35). Results: There were no significant differences between tocolytic effect of both ritodrine and nifedipine in terms of decreasing duration of contraction and frequency of contractions per 10 minutes. Nifedipine achieved uterine quiescence in a significantly shorter time than ritodrine. The maternal side effects and neonatal complications were comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Both drugs, ritodrine and nifedipine appeared to be equally efficient for suppression of preterm labor. However, nifedipine had the following advantage: ease of administration, which made it readily acceptable to our patients; a significantly lesser effect on fetal heart rate pattern; and a much lower cost per treatment. These findings have made it our drug of choice for the treatment of preterm labor.