Skip to main content
. 2015 Feb 12;2015(2):CD000184. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000184.pub4

Comparison 1. Tocolytic drugs (A) vs placebo.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Cephalic presentation at birth (primary) 8   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
1.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 5 459 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.68 [1.14, 2.48]
1.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
1.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 1 310 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.13 [0.87, 1.48]
1.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 1 125 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.58 [0.91, 2.76]
1.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 1 99 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.74 [0.52, 1.05]
2 Failure to achieve cephalic vaginal birth (composite outcome: caesarean section + vaginal breech birth) 5   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
2.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 4 399 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.75 [0.60, 0.92]
2.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
2.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 1 99 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.22 [0.86, 1.72]
3 Caesarean section (primary) 8   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
3.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 6 742 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.77 [0.67, 0.88]
3.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
3.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 1 310 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.11 [0.88, 1.40]
3.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 1 125 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.83 [0.67, 1.02]
3.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4 Fetal bradycardia (primary) 3   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
4.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 1 58 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 2.81 [0.12, 66.17]
4.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 1 310 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.11 [0.50, 2.43]
4.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
4.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 1 99 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.39 [0.08, 1.93]
5 Failed external cephalic version 13   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
5.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 9 900 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.70 [0.60, 0.82]
5.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 1 45 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.0 [0.56, 1.79]
5.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 1 310 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.93 [0.78, 1.11]
5.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 1 126 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.86 [0.70, 1.06]
5.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 2 156 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.04 [0.55, 1.96]
6 Difficult external cephalic version 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
6.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 1 63 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.5 [0.16, 1.54]
6.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
6.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7 Maternal palpitations 3   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
7.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 1 114 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 5.0 [0.25, 101.89]
7.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
7.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 1 117 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.49 [0.05, 5.27]
7.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 1 99 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8 Maternal headaches 2   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
8.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
8.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 1 117 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 18.68 [1.11, 313.77]
8.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 1 99 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 10.29 [2.55, 41.56]
9 Maternal hypotension 2   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
9.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
9.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 1 117 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.47 [0.26, 8.50]
9.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 1 99 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 5.88 [0.73, 47.07]
10 Operative vaginal birth 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
10.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 1 310 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.34 [0.09, 1.22]
10.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
10.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11 Maternal mortality 0   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
11.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
11.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12 Maternal morbidity 0   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
12.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
12.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13 Perinatal mortality 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
13.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 1 310 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
13.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14 Perinatal morbidity 0   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
14.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
14.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15 Vaginal breech birth 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
15.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 1 124 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.0 [0.30, 3.28]
15.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
15.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16 Apgar < 7 at 5 minutes (not prespecified) 2   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
16.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 2 227 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
16.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
17 Neonatal seizures (not prespecified) 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
17.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 1 124 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
17.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
17.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
17.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
17.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
18 Admission to neonatal unit (not prespecified) 2   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
18.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 2 238 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 1.0 [0.30, 3.36]
18.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
18.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
18.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
18.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
19 Birth trauma (not prespecified) 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
19.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 1 114 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
19.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
19.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
19.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
19.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
20 Maternal flushing (not prespecified) 1   Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) Subtotals only
20.1 Beta stimulants ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
20.2 Beta stimulants ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
20.3 Calcium channel blockers ‐ oral or sublingual 1 310 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 23.30 [1.38, 391.91]
20.4 Nitric oxide donors ‐ parenteral 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]
20.5 Nitric oxide donors ‐ oral or sublingual 0 0 Risk Ratio (M‐H, Random, 95% CI) 0.0 [0.0, 0.0]