ABSTRACT
Attempts to develop an ideal tocolytic drug have been ongoing for 50 years now, and scrutiny of the literature has revealed the progression from case reports,10 to small observational series,11 to randomized controlled trials,12 and ultimately combinations of the latter in the form of meta-analyses.13 However, this major expansion in information on management of preterm labor has not resulted in a definitive answer to the central questions of whether tocolytic treatments have a role, if so which tocolytic drug is the most effective, and, finally, which compound is the safest for use from a maternal and fetal point of view. For this reason, clinical practice in relation to tocolytic drugs varies from one hospital and country to the next, and controversy remains in relation to indications, choice of agent, dosage regimens and
duration of therapy for tocolytic drugs. The aim of this chapter is to examine the evidence, clinically and scientifically, for the use of calcium-channel blockers (CCB) and betamimetic agents, as tocolytic compounds, in the light of the current literature, and in comparison to no treatment (or placebo) and other compounds.
