Comparison of safety, efficacy and perinatal outcome of isoxsuprine and nifedipine in women with preterm labour

Background: Over the last 50 years, extensive research has been conducted with the objective of preventing, predicting and optimizing the outcome of patients with preterm labour. Currently, the therapeutic foundation for treating preterm labour involves the use of tocolysis. An attempt is made to study the tocolytic effect of Isoxsuprine and nifedipine in suppression of preterm labour. Methods: This is a prospective study, carried out in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of S S institute of medical sciences and research centre, Davangere, over a period of 15 months- from October 2014 to January 2016. Results: 60 antenatal cases with 28-36 weeks of gestation with painful intermittent uterine contractions were considered for the study. Subjects were randomly allotted into two groups - Group A (Isoxsuprine) and Group B (Nifedipine) 30 patients each. Main outcomes include prolongation of pregnancy, maternal side effects and neonatal outcome were compared. Baseline characteristics were well matched in both study groups. Mean prolongation of pregnancy was 31.68 days in Nifedipine and 27.54 days in Isoxsuprine group which was statistically significant. Success rate with Nifedipine was found to be 96% as compared to Isoxsuprine which was 75%. Maternal side effects like hypotension (13.33%) and tachycardia (6.66%) were common in Isoxsuprine group, while facial flushing was seen in16.66% patients in Nifedipine group. Neonatal outcome was similar in the both groups. Conclusions: Nifedipine is a safe and effective tocolytic agent than Isoxsuprine with less maternal complications.