Which drug stops preterm labor best? new study pits nifedipine against magnesium sulfate
NCT ID NCT05343806
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested two drugs—nifedipine (a pill) and magnesium sulfate (given through a vein)—to see which is better at delaying preterm labor in pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks. A total of 264 women took part, and the main goal was to see how many avoided giving birth within 48 hours of starting treatment. The hope is that delaying labor gives time for steroids to help the baby's lungs develop, reducing health risks for newborns.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- nifedipine and magnesium sulfate
- What this could lead to
- If one drug works better, it could help more women delay preterm labor long enough for steroids to mature the baby's lungs, reducing newborn complications.
- What could go wrong
- This is a single-center trial with 264 participants, so results may not apply to all pregnant women. Both drugs have side effects like low blood pressure or breathing issues.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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264 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Apr 2023
- Finished
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Sep 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnant women with threatened preterm labor defined as 3 or more uterine contractions in 30 minutes confirmed by cardiotocography. 2. Gestational age from 32 week + 0 days to (inclusive) 36 weeks + 0 days. 3. Women with singleton or multiple pregnancy. 4. Women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) will be included if they have uterine contractions. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Contraindications for the use of either drugs, such as cardiac disease, hypotension, myasthenia gravis, or renal impairment. 2. Contraindications for tocolysis, such as intrauterine demise, intrauterine infection, fetal distress, placental separation, or severe pre-eclampsia. 3. Cervical dilatation \> 5 cm. 4. Cervical length \> 30 mm by trans-vaginal ultrasound. 5. Cervical cerclage.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University
Asyut, Asyut Governorate, 71515, Egypt
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