Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Comprehensive Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Placenta-Targeted Drug Delivery Using Three Complementary Methods
Published on: September 10, 2018
Progestational agents for treating threatened or established preterm labour
Lin-Lin Su1, Miny Samuel, Yap-Seng Chong
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Wing, Singapore, Singapore, 119074.
Background:
Prematurity is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality in many countries. Studies of various tocolytic agents have shown mixed results with little effect in improving pregnancy duration and insufficient data to confirm a definite beneficial effect on neonatal morbidity or mortality. Progesterone is known to have an inhibitory effect on uterine contractility and is thought to play a key role in the maintenance of pregnancy until term. Some investigators looked at the use of progestational agents for the treatment of threatened or established preterm labour. We surveyed the literature for studies on this subject with a view to performing a meta-analysis in order to assess the efficacy of progestational agents in the treatment of threatened or established preterm labour.
Objectives:
To determine if the use of progestational agents is effective as a form of treatment or co-treatment for women with threatened or established preterm labour with intact membranes.
Search Strategy:
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (March 2009), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2009, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to January 2009) and EMBASE (1974 to January 2009). We checked references of articles and communicated with authors and pharmaceutical industry.
Selection Criteria:
Randomised controlled trials which compared progestational agents, given either alone or in combination with other tocolytics, with a control group receiving another tocolytic, placebo or no treatment, for the treatment of preterm labour.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality.
Main Results:
There are some data suggesting that the use of progestational agent resulted in a reduction of preterm deliveries at less than 37 weeks of gestation. The use of progestational agent may also attenuate the shortening of cervical length and reduce the frequency of uterine contractions. However, the analysis was limited by the small number of available studies. This review included four studies. However, the number of participants in each included study ranged from 35 to 60 which limits the power of the meta-analysis.
Authors' Conclusions:
Currently, there is insufficient evidence to advocate progestational agents as a tocolytic agents for women presenting with preterm labour.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
01:20Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce peptic ulcers by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, decreasing...
01:21Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems
01:31Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers
01:18Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Classification
Vasopressor or pressor agents: They increase blood pressure and function as cardiac stimulants. Examples include endogenous catecholamines (norepinephrine and dopamine) and synthetic agents (phenylephrine).
Bronchodilators: β2-agonists can relax bronchial muscles and widen airways. They are commonly used for treating obstructive pulmonary...
01:28Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists