RISK - BENEFIT CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE USE OF ISOXSUPRINE IN THE TREATMENT OF PREMATURE LABOR

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (3) , 297-303
Abstract
Seventy patients treated with isoxsuprine for premature labor were studied. In patients with intact membranes, prolongation of pregnancy for > 7 days occurred in 77% of women with 50% cervical effacement or less and 3 cm dilatation or less at the initiation of therapy, and in none with > 50% effacement and > 3 cm dilatation. Cervical effacement was the primary factor in determining success. Cord isoxsuprine concentrations averaged 90% of maternal concentrations at delivery. Maternal and cord isoxsuprine concentrations at delivery were inversely correlated with the drug-free interval before delivery. An interval of > 5 h was necessary to attain a cord concentration of < 2 ng/ml, a level not associated with neonatal problems. Drug-free intervals of 2 h or less usually resulted in cord isoxsuprine values of > 10 ng/ml, levels that are associated with severe neonatal problems. Seventy-seven percent of infants with cord isoxsuprine concentrations of > 2 ng/ml and 91% with values of > 10 ng/ml were delivered of mothers with > 3 cm dilatation or > 50% effacement at the initiation or reinstitution of i.v. therapy. Most severe neonatal problems are preventable if patients are selected carefully.

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