Introduction
Ritopar 10 is vasodilators and uterine relaxants. It is used in the treatment of premature labor (when the uterus starts contracting for birth too early than usual). It works on the muscles of the uterus and helps in relieving the contractions.
Ritopar 10 can be taken with or without food, but take it at the same time to get the most benefit. It should be taken as your doctor's advice. The dose and how often you take it depends on what you are taking it for. Your doctor will decide how much you need to improve your symptoms. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. You should take this medicine for as long as it is prescribed for you.
The most common side effects of this medicine include chest pain or discomfort, fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and loss of appetite. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them.
Before taking the medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had diabetes, blood pressure, or thyroid. Your doctor should also know about all other medicines you are taking as many of these may make this medicine less effective or change the way it works. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or if you experience contraction and water break. Your doctor may perform blood pressure and heart rate check-ups while taking this medicine.
Side effects of Ritopar 10
Common
- Breathlessness
- Chest discomfort
- Increased glucose level in blood
- Increased heart rate
- Palpitations
- Tremor
How to use Ritopar 10
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Ritopar 10 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Ritopar 10 works
It eases the contraction of the uterus and helps relaxing it, thereby preventing premature delivery.
Indication
Premature labour
Adult Dose
Oral
Uncomplicated premature labour
Adult: Start oral therapy 30-60 mins before termination of IV infusion at 10 mg every 2 hr for 24 hr. Subsequently, 10-20 mg every 4-6 hr according to patient's response. Max oral dose 120 mg daily.
Parenteral
Uncomplicated premature labour
Adult: Given as IV infusion, initially 0.05 mg/min. Increase by 0.05 mg/min every 10 min until patient responds. Usual rate: 0.15-0.35 mg/min. As IM inj: 10 mg every 3-8 hr. Maintain for 12-48 hr after the contractions have stopped.
Contraindication
It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of the excipients of this component. beta2–agonists are contra-indicated in cardiac disease and in patients with significant risk factors for myocardial ischaemia; they should also be avoided in antepartum haemorrhage, intra-uterine infection, intra-uterine fetal death, placenta praevia, abruptio placenta, threatened miscarriage, cord compression, and eclampsia or severe pre-eclampsia.
Mode of Action
A selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist with its main action on the uterus, causing relaxation. It reduces the intensity and frequency of contractions. Heart rate is also increased while diastolic pressure is reduced. May cause bronchial relaxation but this is not clinically significant in its usage.
Precaution
CV risk factors, concurrent steroids, hyperthyroidism, myocardial insufficiency, arrhythmias, hypertension, DM, bronchial asthma treated with beta-agonists, lactation. Monitor plasma glucose and potassium. Monitor maternal pulse throughout infusion; adjust rate to avoid maternal heart beat exceeding 140 beats/min. Monitor patient's hydration status to reduce risk of pulmonary oedema. Discontinue treatment if there are signs of pulmonary oedema.
Side Effect
The common side-effects of ritodrine hydrochloride are nausea, vomiting, flushing, sweating, tremor, hypokalaemia, tachycardia, palpitations, hypotension (left lateral position throughout infusion to minimize risk), uterine bleeding, pulmonary oedema; chest pain or tightness, arrhythmias and salivary gland enlargement. On prolonged administration for several weeks may cause leucopenia and agranulocytosis; liver function abnormalities including increased transaminases and hepatitis.
Potentially Fatal: Rarely, anaphylaxis, arrhythmia, pulmonary oedema, hypokalaemia.
Interaction
May enhance neuromuscular blockade produced by pancuronium and vecuronium.
Potentially Fatal: Potassium-depleting drugs may increase risk of hypokalaemia.