Oral nifedipine may be a preferential option for treating acute severe hypertension during pregnancy: a meta-analysis

Aim To compare oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol in the treatment of acute severe hypertension in pregnancy (SHP). Methods The primary outcomes were the required time to achieve target blood pressure (RTATBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) after treatment, secondary outcomes were the number of doses (NoD) and adverse events (AEs). Results There was no difference between oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol in SBP, DBP, and AE. However, oral nifedipine provided less RTATBP and NoD. Conclusion Oral nifedipine was associated with less RTATBP and NoD and otherwise did not differ from intravenous labetalol.

Automated summary

This study compared the efficacy of oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol in the treatment of acute severe hypertension in pregnancy. The results showed no difference in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and adverse events between the two drugs. However, oral nifedipine achieved the target blood pressure faster and required a lower number of doses.