A woman in labor at 34 weeks of gestation is hospitalized and treated with intravenous magnesium sulfate for 18 to 20 hours.When the magnesium sulfate is discontinued,which oral drug will probably be prescribed for at-home continuation of the tocolytic effect?

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Terbutaline is a beta-agonist that has been shown to be effective in reducing preterm labor contractions. It is often used as an oral tocolytic agent after a patient has been discharged from the hospital following treatment with intravenous magnesium sulfate. Ritodrine, another beta-agonist, is no longer commonly used due to its potential cardiac side effects. Calcium gluconate is given to counteract the effects of magnesium toxicity and magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for acute tocolysis in preterm labor.

A Woman in Labor at 34 Weeks of Gestation Is