Tocolytic

A tocolytic (from "tokos" (gr) = "birth", "woe" // "lyein" (gr) = "loosen") also called a contraceptive is an active ingredient for suppressing labor ( tocolysis ). Tokolytics are used to prevent premature births or to treat certain birth complications such as B. an umbilical cord prolapse or a lateral position of the child in the womb (uterus) to suppress the further expulsion by the inhibition of labor.

Active ingredients

Fenoterol is a β ₂ sympathomimetic that attaches to the β receptors of the uterus. The side effects associated with β-receptors on the heart include tachycardia (rapid heart rate), drop in blood pressure, and increase in cardiac output. The associated restlessness, muscle tremors and possibly shortness of breath are perceived as unpleasant.

Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker . In Germany, manufacturers have not yet applied for general approval in gynecology. However, this is not necessarily due to a lack of effectiveness, but rather to the costs that would be associated with an approval process for nifedipine as a tocolytic. Nifedipine has been used in internal medicine for years, e.g. B. in high blood pressure (hypertension). Cave : Embryotoxic / teratogenic effects in animal experiments.

Atosiban ( Tractocile ^® ) is an oxytocin - antagonist .

Inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis such as indomethacin also have a tocolytic effect.

Preparations made from Kalanchoe pinnata ( Bryophyllum ) have been used as tocolytics in anthroposophic medicine for decades .

Individual evidence

↑ Karl Heinz Graefe, Werner Lutz, Heinz Bönisch: Dual series: Pharmacology . Ed .: Thieme Verlag. Stuttgart 2011, ISBN 978-3-13-142861-5 , pp. 147 .
↑ Simões-Wüst, Rist: Bryophyllum in preclinical and clinical research . ( Memento of January 22, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 78 kB) In: Der Merkurstab, Heft 5, 2007, pp. 415-420.

Web links

Wiktionary: Tokolytikum - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Wiktionary: Labor inhibitor - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

[1] Karl Heinz Graefe, Werner Lutz, Heinz Bönisch: Dual series: Pharmacology . Ed .: Thieme Verlag. Stuttgart 2011, ISBN 978-3-13-142861-5 , pp. 147 .

[2] Simões-Wüst, Rist: Bryophyllum in preclinical and clinical research . ( Memento of January 22, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 78 kB) In: Der Merkurstab, Heft 5, 2007, pp. 415-420.