Preterm Labor

Research on preterm labor and tocolytic therapy. Includes oxytocin antagonists, beta-agonists, calcium channel blockers, and other agents to delay preterm birth and allow corticosteroid administration.

Quick Answer

What it is

Research on preterm labor and tocolytic therapy. Includes oxytocin antagonists, beta-agonists, calcium channel blockers, and other agents to delay preterm birth and allow corticosteroid administration.

Key findings

  • Grade A: Pregnancy Prolongation (48h-7 days) (Atosiban)
  • Grade A: Maternal Tolerability vs Beta-Agonists (Atosiban)
  • Grade A: Tocolytic Efficacy vs Beta-Agonists (Atosiban)

Safety

  • vs Ritodrine: Adverse events 7.9% vs 70.8%, early termination 0% vs 20%.
  • vs Terbutaline: Fewer clinically important adverse events.
  • One trial noted increased fetal deaths at <24 weeks - use caution at early gestational ages.
ℹ️ Quick Facts

Quick Facts: Preterm Labor

  • Supplements Studied:1
1 supps · 5 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

A
Pregnancy Prolongation (48h-7 days)
Romero Phase 3 (n=501): Significantly more undelivered at 24h, 48h, and 7 days vs placebo (all P≤0.008) at ≥28 weeks. Allows time for corticosteroid administration. Less effective at <28 weeks gestational age.
moderateImproves
A
Maternal Tolerability vs Beta-Agonists
vs Ritodrine: Adverse events 7.9% vs 70.8%, early termination 0% vs 20%. vs Salbutamol: Better tolerated with comparable efficacy. vs Terbutaline: Fewer clinically important adverse events. No cardiovascular side effects seen with beta-agonists.
largeImproves
A
Tocolytic Efficacy vs Beta-Agonists
vs Salbutamol: 48h efficacy 93.3% vs 95.0% (P=0.67). vs Terbutaline: 48h efficacy 86.1% vs 85.3% (P=0.78). Comparable tocolytic effectiveness with better safety profile. Some trials suggest slightly lower initial success rate.
none
A
Neonatal Outcomes
Cochrane 2014: No superiority vs placebo, beta-agonists, or CCBs for neonatal outcomes. Similar neonatal morbidity across comparators. One trial noted increased fetal deaths at <24 weeks - use caution at early gestational ages.
none
A
Maternal Side Effects
Most common: Nausea (mild). No tachycardia, hypotension, or hyperglycemia seen with beta-agonists. No pulmonary edema risk. Fewer treatment discontinuations. Generally well-tolerated by mother and fetus.
largeImproves

Research Citations (34)

Safety and efficacy of atosiban for fetomaternal resuscitation following severe placental abruption in preparation for an emergency cesarean section: a narrative review.
(2025)
PMID: 41173812
The biased OTR ligands -atosiban and carbetocin- differentially inhibit early or late formalin-induced nociception in rats.
(2025)
PMID: 40324652
Atosiban as a potential treatment for endometriosis-related pain: results from the ENDOBAN pilot study.
(2025)
PMID: 41443364
Effect of atosiban on in vitro fertilization pregnancy outcome among women with endometriosis in presence or absence of adenomyosis.
(2023)
PMID: 37407190
A multicenter, retrospective comparison of pregnancy outcomes between groups of preterm labor nulliparous mothers treated with atosiban vs. ritodrine in singleton and multiple pregnancies.
(2023)
PMID: 37678995
Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema Due to Administration of Atosiban.
(2023)
PMID: 37123811
Atosiban-induced acute pulmonary edema: A rare but severe complication of tocolysis.
(2023)
PMID: 37305518
Efficacy of atosiban for repeated embryo implantation failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
(2023)
PMID: 37033236
Tocolytics for delaying preterm birth: a network meta-analysis
(2022)
PMID: 35947046
Efficacy of atosiban combined with ritodrine in the treatment of threatened preterm labor and related risk factors of different pregnancy outcomes.
(2022)
PMID: 36105038