A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF KETOROLAC (TORADOL) AND MAGNESIUM-SULFATE FOR ARREST OF PRETERM LABOR

Background. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ketorolac (Toradol ). Methods, In this prospective trial, 88 women in confirmed preterm l abor at less than or equal to 32 weeks' gestation were randomized to r eceive magnesium sulfate given as an initial 6 g intravenous bolus fol lowed by continuous infusion therapy (2 to 6 g/hr) or intramuscularly administered ketorolac (60 mg loading dose) followed by 30 mg every 6 hours for a maximum of 24 hours. Results, The study groups were simila r with respect to age, parity, cervical status, and gestational age on admission. Ketorolac was more rapid (2.71 hr +/- 2.16) in the arrest of preterm labor than was magnesium sulfate (6.22 hr +/- 5.65). No pat ient required discontinuance of either drug due to adverse effects. Th ere was no difference in the incidence of neonatal complications betwe en the two groups. Conclusion. In gestations with preterm labor at <32 weeks, ketorolac appears to be an appropriate first-line tocolytic ag ent.