A comparison of magnesium sulfate and terbutaline for the arrest of premature labor. A preliminary report.

Intravenous magnesium sulfate and terbutaline were compared as treatments for premature labor. A successful treatment was the arrest of labor for 24 hours. Early treatment was essential for successful management of premature labor. In this study, magnesium sulfate and terbutaline were equally effective in controlling premature labor. Whereas terbutaline was associated with significant alterations in diastolic blood pressure, maternal pulse, fetal heart rate and potassium concentration, magnesium sulfate was not. Magnesium sulfate holds promise as a tocolytic agent, and further clinical study of it is warranted.