What is the dosing for Nifedipine as a tocolytic agent?

Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker commonly used as a tocolytic agent to inhibit premature labor. The correct dosing regimen starts with a 40 mg oral loading dose, which helps achieve therapeutic levels quickly in the bloodstream, followed by maintenance doses of 10 mg every 4 hours. This specific dosing schedule is designed to balance the need for effective contraction inhibition while minimizing potential side effects associated with the medication.

When using Nifedipine for tocolysis, the initial loading dose is crucial as it rapidly alleviates uterine contractions, providing immediate clinical benefit. The subsequent maintenance doses allow for sustained tocolysis and help prevent the reoccurrence of contractions. The method of administering Nifedipine every 4 hours at a moderate dose of 10 mg ensures that the patient maintains a consistent serum level of the drug without excessive accumulation, which could lead to adverse effects.

Other regimens provided, either in terms of dosing frequency or initial loading amounts, would not adequately represent the typical clinical practice for Nifedipine as a tocolytic agent. This distinction is important for safe and effective management of preterm labor.