Safety of maternal long-term indomethacin tocolysis

Abstract

Indomethacin was utilized in 89 patients in preterm labor; the mean gestational age at the start of indomethacin therapy was 25.4 weeks (± 4.1), mean duration of indomethacin treatment was 43.9 days (± 31.3), mean gestational age at delivery was 33.6 weeks (± 3.2). Long-term ( > 48 h) indomethacin tocolysis evoked serious maternal side effects in 30.3% of patients studied. These side effects included exaggerated hypertensive responses in patients treated concomitantly with beta-blockers, gastric erosion and bleeding, fever, interstitial nephritis and postpartum hemorrhage.