Ritodrine
Description
Ritodrine is a medicine used to control premature labour (when your uterus starts contracting for birth too early during pregnancy). It works by reducing the contractions of the muscles in your uterus.
Ritodrine can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, headache, loss of appetite, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects are persistent or worsens.
Ritodrine is available in tablet and injection forms. When taken orally, it can be taken with or without food. Ritodrine injections are administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital/clinic. Your doctor will decide the dose of the treatment based on your condition. You may need to take this medicine until your delivery or till the 37th week of your pregnancy as advised by your doctor. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Ritodrine is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, heart problems, or if you are taking any other medicines. Your doctor may frequently monitor your blood pressure and the functioning of your heart during the treatment. Ritodrine is not recommended for use before 20 weeks of pregnancy or if you have any complications associated with your pregnancy.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Ritodrine
- Increased heart beat
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Nausea and vomiting
- Restlessness
- Chest pain
- Dry mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Redness of skin
Uses of Ritodrine
What is it prescribed for?
- Premature labor
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Ritodrine can be observed within 5 minutes when administered intravenously. It is not known when this medicine starts its action after oral administration.
- Duration of effectIt is not known how long Ritodrine remains active in your body after intravenous administration. This medicine may remain in your body for approximately 15 hours after oral administration.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported for Ritodrine.
- Usage in pregnancy?Ritodrine is considered safe to be used in pregnancy only after the 20th week. Consult with your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Ritodrine is not intended for use while breastfeeding.
Allergy
Ritodrine is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, swelling and/or itching (especially in the face, lips, throat), breathing difficulty, etc.
Antepartum hemorrhage
Antepartum haemorrhage (APH) is defined as bleeding from the vagina occurring from 24 weeks of pregnancy until childbirth. Ritodrine is not recommended in such cases as it may increase the risk of bleeding that may worsen your condition.
Eclampsia
Eclampsia is a condition in which high blood pressure results in seizures (sudden uncontrolled brain activity causing fits) during pregnancy. Ritodrine is not recommended for use if you have eclampsia as it may worsen your condition.
Spinal cord compression
Spinal cord compression occurs your spinal cord gets compressed (due to the fat, tumour, abnormal bone, etc.). The symptoms include numbness, pain, weakness in the hands, feet, or legs, etc. Ritodrine is not recommended in such cases as it may worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Ritodrine is considered safe to be used in pregnancy only after the 20th week. Consult with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Ritodrine is not intended for use while breastfeeding.
General warnings
Hypovolaemia
Ritodrine should be used with caution if you have hypovolaemia (low blood volume) as it can affect your blood pressure. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your electrolyte levels, blood volume and the functioning of your heart.
Heart diseases
Ritodrine should be used with caution if you have heart problems as this medicine may increase the risk of irregular heartbeat and alters your blood pressure. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your electrolyte levels and the functioning of your heart.
Pulmonary hypertension
Ritodrine should be used with caution if you have pulmonary hypertension (increased blood pressure within the arteries in the lungs) as this medicine can increase your blood pressure and further worsen your condition.
Missed Dose
Tablet: If you miss a dose of Ritodrine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Injection: Since Ritodrine injection is administered in a clinical or hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Tablet: Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of a suspected overdose of Ritodrine.
Injection: Since Ritodrine injection is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Propranolol
Betaxolol
Diazoxide
Promethazine
Disease interactions
Pheochromocytoma
Phaeochromocytoma is the tumour in your adrenal gland (a small gland located above the kidney responsible for producing hormones). Ritodrine should be used with caution if you have pheochromocytoma as it can further lead to an increase in your blood pressure. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Diabetes
Ritodrine should be used with caution if you have diabetes as this medicine may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. Your doctor may suggest that you regularly monitor your blood sugar level while taking this medicine.
Hypokalaemia
Hypokalaemia is a decrease in potassium levels in your blood. Ritodrine should be used with caution as it may further increase the risk of hypokalaemia. Your blood potassium levels need to be closely monitored while taking this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Tablet: Take Ritodrine exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not break, chew or crush the tablet.
Avoid taking more or less than the prescribed dose. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Injection: Ritodrine should only be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any undesired effects like redness, itching/swelling (especially on the face/throat), etc. while receiving the medicine.
Your doctor may regularly monitor your heart rhythm and blood pressure during treatment with this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Ritodrine works by relaxing the muscles in your uterus and reducing the intensity and frequency of contractions. This prevents early delivery.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Tocolytic agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Ratko Matijević, O., 2021. Ritodrine in Oral Maintenance of Tocolysis after Active Preterm Labor: Randomized Controlled Trial. [online] PubMed Central (PMC). Available at: < [Accessed 15 September 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Ritodrine. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 25 August 2021].
Rad-ar.or.jp. 2021. Search results detail| Kusurino-Shiori(Drug information Sheet). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 25 August 2021].
Aci-bd.com. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 25 August 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 21 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.