Der Pharmacia Lettre
Abstract
Author(s): J. Aparna
To assess the efficacy and safety of nifedipine compared with methyldopa in the management of moderate
pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). One hundred pregnant patients with moderate PIH were randomly
allocated to receive either methyldopa or nifedipine. The dose of the drugs was doubled every 48 hours to maintain
a mean systolic arterial blood pressure < 150 mmHg and mean diastolic blood pressure <100 mmHg. Maternal and
fetal outcomes and frequency of side effects were studied. The statistical level of significance was taken at P < 0.05.
3 patients in methyldopa group and 5 patients in nifedipine group were excluded from the study as they were
delivered other hospitals. Both drugs reduced hypertension with similar fetal and maternal outcome benefits.
Nifedipine and methyldopa could both be used effectively to control blood pressure in moderate PIH.
