COMPARISION OF EFFICACYAND SAFETY OF ORAL LABETALOL AND NIFEDIPINE IN PREECLAMPSIA: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of oral Labetalol and Nifedipine in preeclampsia patients and to aid professionals in making appropriate therapeutic decisions in the management of preeclampsia.Methods: A Prospective observational study with the total of 152 pregnant women with preeclampsia is conducted in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India. Pregnant women with preeclampsia prescribed with either oral labetalol or oral nifedipine were selected. Main outcome measures include monitoring of adverse effects of labetalol and nifedipine and efficacy of both drugs. Blood pressures were measured every 4 hrs using sphygmomanometer and average of three consecutive readings is recorded. The two groups were followed until delivery and are interviewed for any adverse reactions.Results: The duration of days required for labetalol to normalize the high blood pressure is 5 days (5±2.63 d), and that of nifedipine is 7.5 days (7.5±3.83 d) with P value of 0.0015. Common adverse Drug reactions (ADR's) of the both drugs are pedal edema (50%, 47.36%), headache (44.7%, 26.31%), and orthostatic hypotension (9%, 7%) etc are compared.Conclusion: Oral Labetalol is more efficacious than Oral Nifedipine, with an exception of more adverse effects and high cost.Â