[The efficacy of oral betamimetics using an oxytocin-stimulated puerperal model (author's transl)]

Puerperal uteri were stimulated by oxytocin, the uterine motility was recorded by transcervical catheter techniques, maternal pulse and blood-pressure were recorded continuously or intermittently. Oral tocolytics as Gynipral (Hexoprenaline), Partusisten (Fenoterol), Spiropent (Clenbuterol) and Prepar (Ritodrine) were administered orally in single or double dose. The inhibitory effect of these drugs were recorded, evaluated from the records and calculated statistically concerning their significant differences. It could be demonstrated that only Hexoprenaline in a three time higher dose than used usually and Partusisten in a dose of 10 and 20 mg were able to reduce uterine motility for more than 50%. All other substances definitely had an inhibitory effect on the puerperal uterus, but inhibition was not stronger than 30%. Cardiovascular side-effects were discussed. The question, if oral given betamimetics are effective in the treatment of threatening premature labour could not be answered definitively, but there are doubts according this study concerning the dose and the repetition of it for this purpose.