The Comparison between Vaginal Progestrone and Isoxuprine Tab on Duration of Latent Phase after Controled Preterm Labor

Preterm labor affects 8 – 10% of pregnancies. Many drugs have been used to manage preterm labor. This study was done to compare the effect of ‘Progesterone vaginal suppository’ with ‘Isoxuperine oral tablet’ used to prolong latent period after controlling preterm labor. In this clinical trial study، 100 pregnant women with preterm labor pain admited to Afzalipoor Hospital-kerman were assessed. After their contractions was controlled، patients were divided in two groups، randomly. First group was prescribed progesterone supp. 400 mg daily and the other isoxuperine tab 10 mg TDS. They were followed to compare the effectiveness and side effects of the drug. Statistical analyses were done by independent t-test and chi-square. The two groups were equal in average time between latent phase and labor، gestational age at the time of labor، preterm labor recurrence، birth weight، admission in NICU and neonatal jaundice. In the group which used progesterone، no side effects were observed، in isoxuperine group 11. 6% suffered side effects. But a significant difference was not found in the side effects (p= 0. 058). Based on our results and because of lower maternal side effects of vaginal progesterone، it seems that vaginal progesterone could be a better choice for maintenance therapy after preterm labor arrest.