What is the medication of choice for managing preeclampsia?

The medication of choice for managing preeclampsia is magnesium sulfate. This drug is primarily used to prevent and treat seizures in women with preeclampsia and eclampsia. Magnesium sulfate minimizes the risk of seizure activity by acting as a central nervous system depressant, which is crucial since preeclampsia can lead to severe complications, including seizures.

Additionally, while medications like labetalol and hydralazine can be used to manage hypertension in preeclampsia, they do not address seizure prevention, which is a key concern in the management of this condition. Nifedipine, being a calcium channel blocker, can effectively lower blood pressure but is not the first-line choice for seizure management. Therefore, magnesium sulfate is the preferred medication when managing preeclampsia, focusing on both the prevention of severe complications and overall maternal and fetal safety.