COMPARISON OF EFFICACY OF NIFEDIPINE AND SALBUTAMOL IN THE TREATMENT OF PRETERM LABOUR

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of nifedipine and salbutamol in the treatment of preterm labour. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar on 176 pre natal patients. All patients with preterm labour aged 15-45 years with any gravida or parity presenting through outpatient department (OPD) or emergency room (ER) with uterine contraction associated with cervical effacement and dilatation before 36 weeks and 6 days of gestational period were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups by lottery method. Women in group A were put on tablet nifedipine while women in group B were given salbutamol. The drug was considered effective in case of cessation of the uterine contraction within 2 hours of initiation of the drug and continuation of the effect till minimum of 48 hours. Results: Mean age was 28.53 + 5.84 in group A and 28.26 + 5.47 in group B. Nifedipine was found to be more effective than salbutamol in prolonging pregnancy for more than 48 hours, whereas no significance difference was found between the two drugs in delaying delivery after 1 week of pregnancy prolongation (30.68% versus 32.95%). Conclusion: Nifedipine is more effective than salbutamol in the treatment of preterm labour.