Atosiban: Indications And Warnings
Atosiban is a drug that is administered intravenously to delay preterm labor. Its effect is due to the ability to inhibit the action of oxytocin and vasopressin, two hormones that induce labor.
By blocking the action of oxytocin in the uterus, atosiban also inhibits uterine contractions. It was developed in Sweden and the first mention of it in the scientific literature dates back to 1985.
Advice on taking atosiban
This drug is indicated for delaying an impending preterm birth. It is mainly given to women who have some of the following situations:
- Regular uterine contractions, lasting at least 30 seconds and with a frequency greater than or equal to 4 contractions every 30 minutes.
- Dilation of the cervix from 1 to 3 cm (0-3 for women who had not given birth previously) and smoothing in a percentage greater than or equal to 50%.
- Gestational age between 24th and 33rd full weeks.
- Normal fetal heart rate.
Causes of premature birth
Often the causes of premature birth cannot be clearly identified. It is usually due to a combination of factors such as:
- Previous diseases of the mother: diabetes, hypertension and diseases of the thyroid or adrenal glands.
- Infections.
- Psychosocial stress.
- Mother’s age: The risk of premature birth increases if the woman is under 18 or over 35.
- Specific harmful or toxic substances.
- Problems in the development of the fetus.
Other external factors can also increase the risk of preterm birth. This includes, for example, excessive consumption of nicotine and alcohol.
It is important to note that the risk of miscarriage can be reduced if the pregnant woman eats healthy foods and avoids physical exertion.
Warnings during treatment with atosiban
When taken by pregnant women at risk of premature rupture of membranes, the benefits of delayed delivery must be weighed against the potential risk of chorioamnionitis.
Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the amniotic fluid and the membranes that contain it. Amniotic fluid is a fluid that surrounds and protects the embryo, and then the fetus, in the development of the amniotic sac.
This fluid allows the fetus to move within the uterine walls without them adhering too much to her body. In addition to that, it provides the fetus with proper hydration.
It should be noted that there is no experience with atosiban treatment in patients with kidney disease, such as kidney failure. The same goes for liver failure. For this reason, special care must be taken in these cases.
Other useful information
For women carrying out a multiple pregnancy and gestational age between weeks 24 and 27, clinical experience with atosiban is limited. Given the small number of patients treated with this drug, the data offered by the studies are not conclusive.
The same is true for the effectiveness of a second treatment in a woman who had previously undergone therapy with atosiban, i.e. retreatment.
In the event of intrauterine growth retardation, the decision to continue or re-treat this drug will depend on the assessment of fetal development.
In addition, doctors should monitor contractions and fetal heart rate during treatment with atosiban, and if uterine contractions persist .
In the case of multiple pregnancy, calcium channel blockers or betamimetics are associated with a significant increase in the risk of pulmonary edema.
It follows that atosiban should be taken with caution in case of multiple pregnancies and / or concomitantly with other medicinal products that may enhance its effect.
Conclusions
Atosiban d is a medicinal product in the opposite effects of oxytocin, one of the hormones that prepare the body for childbirth.
Following this, it is used to avert the risk of premature birth. However, it is very important to know the risks and precautions to be taken when starting treatment with this medicine.
