Abstract
Preterm labor (PTL) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Among the available tocolytics, indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor,
has been in use since the 1970s. Recent studies have suggested that prostaglandin
synthetase inhibitors are superior to other tocolytics in delaying delivery for 48
hours and 7 days. However, increased neonatal complications including oligohydramnios,
renal failure, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and closure
of the patent ductus arteriosus have been reported with the use of indomethacin. Indomethacin
has been also used in women with short cervices as well as in those with idiopathic
polyhydramnios. This article describes the mechanism of action of indomethacin and
its clinical applications as a tocolytic agent in women with PTL and cerclage and
its use in the context of polyhydramnios. The fetal and neonatal side effects of this
drug are also summarized and guidelines for its use are proposed.
Keywords
indomethacin - tocolysis - preterm labor - short cervix - polyhydramnios - fetal side
effects