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Medications for Preterm Labor and Delivery En Español (Spanish Version)
If you are having preterm labor, you may be given medication. Drugs for preterm labor include:
Tocolytics
—to slow or stop preterm labor contractions
Calcium channel blockersProstaglandin synthetase inhibitors (cyclooxygenase inhibitors)BetamimeticsMagnesium sulfateCorticosteroids
—to help the baby’s lungs and brain mature
Antibiotics
—to prevent infection in the mother and baby
Tocolytics are drugs that minimize the strength and number of contractions. Although an ideal goal would be to stop preterm labor completely, the most that can be reasonably expected from current tocolytics is a delay of 48 hours. This delay allows time for treatment with steroids and antibiotics. Steroids are given to speed the baby’s lung development. Even a few extra days in the uterus can be vital to the baby’s development. Antibiotics may be given to treat a suspected infection. During this time, you may also be transferred to a better-equipped hospital. These drugs can be given through an IV or by mouth between 24 and 34 weeks gestation. - Common name:
Nifedipine
(Adalat, Procardia)
Common names include:
- Ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin)
- Indomethacin
(Indocin
- Ketorolac
(Toradol)
- Sulindac
(Clinoril)
Prostaglandins cause uterine contractions, so these drugs are meant to block the production of prostaglandin.
Common names include:
- Terbutaline
(Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl)
- Ritodrine (Yutopar)
These drugs cause uterine muscles to relax.
This is a muscle relaxant that is given intravenously. While this medication has not been proven to delay preterm birth, it is effective in treating
pre-eclampsia
and does offer protection against brain injury in the baby. Hence, it is used frequently in the presence of preterm labor.
Common names include:
- Betamethasone
(Betatrex, Diprolene, Maxivate)
- Dexamethasone
(Decadron, Dexameth, Dexone, Hexadrol)
If you are between 24-34 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may give corticosteroids. These drugs help your baby’s lungs mature. They also reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and bleeding in the brain. With these drugs, your baby will breathe easier after delivery.
Common names include:
- Penicillin
- Ampicillin
- Clindamycin
- Vancomycin
- Cefazolin
Antibiotics help to treat and prevent infection in both the mother and the baby. Preterm babies are at increased risk of infection because their immune systems are immature.
ACOG Committee Opinion No. 291: Use of progesterone to reduce preterm birth.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
2003.
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Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand.
2005;84:526-533.
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Am J Obst Gynecol.
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The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
2005;(1):CD000262.
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Am J Obstet Gynecol.
2006;195:1174-1179.
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N Engl J Med.
2008; 359:962-964
What treatments can reduce the chances of preterm labor & birth?
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development website. Available at:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/preterm/Pages/default.aspx. Updated November 30, 2013. Accessed April 23, 2013.
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Systematic Reviews. 2009; (1).
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Am J Obstet Gynecol.
1985;151:574-577.
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Am J Obstet Gynecol.
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Last Reviewed April 2013
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