toggle mobile menu Menu
toggle search menu

Site Navigation

Supplemental

Menu

Tocolytic medicine

Tocolytic medicine

Tocolytics are medicines that are used to slow or stop the contractions of a woman's uterus during pregnancy. They are typically given to women who are in preterm labor to try to delay birth for 1 to 2 days.

This delay may be needed for a variety of medical reasons, such as:

  • To allow time for a fetus's lungs to mature after corticosteroid treatment.
  • To prevent labor until specialized care is obtained that either the mother or fetus is expected to need.
  • To relax the mother's uterine muscles before trying to turn a breech fetus to the head-down position (external cephalic version).
  • To reduce the stress on a baby who has a low heart rate or other problem.

Examples of tocolytics include terbutaline, magnesium sulfate, nifedipine, and indomethacin.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Healthwise is a URAC accredited health web site content provider. Privacy Policy. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

© 1995- Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.