Comparison of Salbutamol and Nifedipine in treatment of preterm labour

Abstract

Background: Preterm labour can cause many foetal complications. Oral nifedipine, subcutaneous terbutaline and intravenous salbutamol are effective agents for patients with pre-term labour. The objective of this study was to compare efficacy of salbutamol and nifedipine in the treatment of preterm labour. Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, DHQ Teaching Hospital, Haripur over 6 months. A total of 178 patients were included using consecutive (non-probability) sampling technique and divided into two groups of 89 each. Women in group A were subjected to nifedipine (20 mg stat, followed by 10 mg three times a day) and women in group B were given salbutamol (50 micrograms per minute, i.e., 8 ampules of salbutamol injection (4 mg) per 500 ml of 0.9% normal saline infusion at 8 drops per minute (0.5 ml/min). Treatment in either group was considered successful if the labour is deferred till 48 hours after initiation of therapy. Data was analysed using SPSS-17. Results: Nifedipine and salbutamol were effective in 80% and 84% patients respectively. Maternal and foetal undesirable effects were significantly less in nifedipine group. Nifedipine was safe in 94% patients and salbutamol was safe in 88% patients. Conclusion: Salbutamol and nifedipine are equally effective regarding delay of delivery but the latter is more effective in view of easy intake, less active maternal and foetal monitoring and very few adverse effects as compared to salbutamol which requires strict monitoring of both mother and foetus.

Pak J Physiol 2020;16(1):10–3