LABOR-INHIBITING DRUGS

Preterm labour is major cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Th e disturbances responsible for the untimely changes of uterine functio n and initiation of labour are still obscure. A causal therapy is ther efore not available. The classical pharmacological armentarium (beta-s ympathomimetics, intravenous magnesium) has significantly widened when cyclooxygenase-inhibitors, Ca-antagonists and an oxytocin antagonist proved to be effective. The newer drugs, however, share with the class ical ones the lack in uterine selectivity, potentially serious side-ef fects and unreliable long term effectivity. Probably the oxytocin-anta gonist will offer some advantages with respect to selectivity and safe ty. Cardioselective beta-blockers are used to improve uterine selectiv ity of beta(2)-sympathomimetics. The mode of action of these drugs and the pharmacological properties relevant for their therapeutic applica tion are discussed.