Indications: uncomplicated premature labour

Cautions: monitor blood loss after delivery; intrauterine growth restriction; abnormal placental site.

Note:

Contra-indications: eclampsia and severe preeclampsia, intra-uterine infection, intra-uterine fetal death, antepartum haemorrhage (requiring immediate delivery), placenta praevia, abruption placenta, intrauterine growth restriction with abnormal fetal heart rate, premature rupture of membranes after 30 weeks’ gestation.

Hepatic impairment: no information available

Renal impairment: no information available

Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, hypotension, headache, dizziness, hot flushes, hyperglycaemia, injection-site reaction; less commonly pruritus, rash, fever, insomnia

Dose: By intravenous injection, initially 6.75 mg over 1 minute, then by intravenous infusion 18 mg/hour for 3 hours, then 6 mg/hour for up to 45 hours; max. duration of treatment 48 hours.