Magnesium sulfate as a tocolytic agent

  • Semin Perinatol. 2001 Aug;25(4):236-47. doi: 10.1053/sper.2001.27546.
P S Ramsey  1 ,  D J Rouse
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Research in Women's Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35249-7333, USA. [email protected]
PMID: 11561911 DOI: 10.1053/sper.2001.27546
Abstract

Although magnesium sulfate is widely used as a tocolytic agent in the hope of preventing spontaneous preterm birth, there is a paucity of data from large well-designed randomized clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of magnesium sulfate therapy. Given the potential for untoward side effects and the inherent risks of magnesium sulfate therapy, a thorough understanding of the potential risks and benefits of this agent is needed. To accomplish this understanding we have provided a detailed review the history, pharmacology, physiology, maternal/fetal side effects, and tocolytic efficacy of magnesium sulfate.

Products