M.C. Constantinescu *, A. Zugravu *, M. lsvoranu *, C.I. Russ *
* Dr. Maria Cristina Constantinescu, dr. Aurelian Zugravu, dr. Mihai Isvoranu, dr. Cristina Ioana Russ, – Catedra de Farmacologie, UMF “Carol Davila” București
Abstract
Nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium entry blocker, has been used with increasing frequency in the treatment of preterm labour. Nifedipine is as effective as mimetics in decreasing uterine activity and it has little teratogenic or fetotoxic potential. Uterine horns from non pregnant female Wistar rats were suspended in organ chambers for isotonic measurements and were allowed to recover spontaneous activity. Afterwards they were exposed to increasing concentrations of nifedipine and verapamil. Both nifedipine and verapamil relaxed myometrial strips in vitro. On the basis of this study, it appears that tocolysis with verapamil is more efficacious than with nifedipine.