Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026

In Vivo Real-Time Study of Drug Effects on Carotid Blood Flow in the Ovine Fetus
Published on: April 28, 2023
Nifedipine compared to magnesium sulfate for treating preterm labor: A randomized clinical trial
Roshan Nikbakht1, Mahin Taheri Moghadam2, Homa Ghane'ee1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ahvaz Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Background:
Preterm labor is the leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality so it may be necessary to administer tocolytics for treatment of it.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of magnesium sulfate and nifedipine in the management of preterm labor.
Materials And Methods:
100 women with documented preterm labor were randomly assigned to receive magnesium sulfate (n=50) and nifedipine (n=50) as tocolytic therapy. Before tocolysis, patient did not receive any sedation. After tocolysis, if patient continued to have contractions, they received other tocolytic agents. The main outcome variables examined were days gain in utero, success rate and side effects of tocolysis.
Results:
Both drugs were equally effective in prevention of labor and delaying delivery >7 days, 56% vs. 64% in the nifedipine and magnesium sulfate groups, and the days gain in utero was no statistically different in two groups. 6% of nifedipine group and 2% of magnesium sulfate group required drug discontinuation due to severe symptoms. There were also no significant differences in maternal characteristics between two groups. The total success rate and side effects were similar in two groups.
Conclusion:
Oral nifedipine could be a suitable alternative for magnesium sulfate with the same efficacy and side effects in the management of preterm labor. Registration ID in IRCT: IRCT2013090914603N1.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route
Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine
CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
Adrenergic Antagonists: ɑ and β-Receptor Blockers