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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
07:56
Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development
Published on: January 26, 2018
Pharmacotherapy of preterm labor
1Department of Pharmacy, New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111.
Pharmacotherapy
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Preterm labor, occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy, has various causes and risk factors. Management includes non-drug methods and tocolytic agents like ritodrine, terbutaline, and magnesium.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Preterm labor is defined as uterine contractions before 37 completed weeks of gestation.
- It stems from maternal, placental, fetal, or idiopathic causes and is linked to significant risk factors.
- Current management strategies involve non-pharmacologic interventions and various tocolytic medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the definition, causes, risk factors, and management of preterm labor.
- To discuss non-drug measures and pharmacologic agents used in treating preterm labor.
- To highlight commonly utilized tocolytic drugs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on preterm labor.
- Categorization of causes and risk factors.
- Summary of non-drug and pharmacologic treatment modalities.
Main Results:
- Preterm labor is a complex condition with diverse etiologies.
- Bedrest and hydration are common non-drug interventions.
- Pharmacologic agents include ethanol, progesterone, indomethacin, nifedipine, beta-adrenergic agonists, and magnesium salts.
- Ritodrine, terbutaline, and magnesium are the most frequently used tocolytic drugs.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of preterm labor requires understanding its multifactorial nature.
- A combination of non-drug and pharmacologic approaches is often employed.
- The selection of tocolytic agents is guided by clinical practice and drug availability.
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