Off-label use—Despite their well-documented efficacy
and therapeutic safety, most of the tocolytic
drugs discussed here have not been approved for this
indication in Germany, with the exception of beta -
mimetics and the oxytocin antagonist atosiban. Lack
of approval of effective medications is common in
many branches of pediatrics. All of these medications,
however, are commercially available in
Germany, and physicians are free to use them for tocolysis
as long as they obtain the patient’s explicit
informed consent. Special patient information forms
explaining the tocolytic effect of these drugs, their
side effects, and the medicolegal situation have been
found useful in routine clinical practice. It is also
wise for each obstetrical service to have its own