Ritodrine hydrochloride

Indications & Dose:

Uncomplicated premature labour. Inhibition of extreme uterine contractions causing fetal distress.

• BY INFUSION 

Adult 

Premature labour,

initially 0.05mg/minute, gradually increased to 0.5mg/minute and continued for 12-48 hours after contractions have ceased; or

• BY INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION, 10mg every

3-8 hours continued for 12-48 hours after contractions have ceased; then

• BY MOUTH,  10- mg 30 minutes before termination of intravenous infusion, repeated every 2 hours for 24 hours  followed by 10-20 mg every 4-6 hour, max. oral dose 120mg daily.

Children Not recommended 

Contraindications:

Cardiac disease, eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia, intrauterine infection, intrauterine fetal death, antepartum haemorrhage (requires immediate delivery), placenta praevia, cord compression; not for use in first or second trimesters. Hyperthyroidism, uncontrolled diabetes, pulmonary hypertension. 

Side Effects:

With oral administration: Tachycardia, tremor, palpitation, nausea, rash, cardiac arrhythmias and hepatitis.

With I.V. administration: Tachycardia, palpitation, nausea, pulmonary oedema, vomiting, headache, erythema. Nervous ness, anxiety or emotional upset. Rarely anaphylactic shock, cardiac arrhythmias, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, lactic acidosis, glycsouria, chills, sweating and hepatitis. 

Cautions:

Suspected cardiac disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, hypokalaemia (special risk with potassium depleting diuretics), mild to moderate pre-eclampsia, pressure and pulse rate (should not exceed 135-140 beats per minute) and avoid over hydration. Important: pulmonary oedema closely monitor state of hydration (discontinue immediately and institute  diuretic therapy if pulmonary oe-dema  occurs); beta-blockers (effect antagonised may be used to reverse increasd tendency to uterine bleeding following Caesarean section); drugs likely to enhance sympathomimetic side-effects. 

Precautions:

Prolonged use, renal or hepatic impairment, diabetes mellitus, tachyarrhythmias, monitor electrolytes, fluids, fetal condition, cardiac function.

Interaction:

Drugs
Corticosteroids, suxamethonium. 

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

Patient And Carer Advice: