Ritodrine

Ritodrine hydrochloride (Yutopar®) is a tocolytic drug, used to stop premature labour. It is available in oral tablets or as an injection.

Ritodrine is a Beta-2 agonist - a class of medication used for smooth muscle relaxation (other types are used in asthma or other pulmonary diseases)

Most side effects of beta-2 agonists result from their concurrent beta-1 activity, and include increase in heart rate, rise in systolic pressure, decrease in diastolic pressure, chest pain secondary to MI, and arrhythmia. Beta agonists may also cause fluid retention secondary to decrease in water clearance, which when added to the tachycardia and increased myocardial work, may result in cardiac failure. In addition, they increase gluconeogenesis in the liver and muscle resulting in hyperglycaemia, which increases insulin requirements in diabetic patients. The passage of beta-agonists through the placenta does occur and may be responsible for foetal tachycardia, as well as hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia at birth.

Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure or migraines should bring this to their doctor's attention before receiving care.

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