Vanderbilt Researchers Identified Asthma Drug for Labor

A study found that an existing steroid could help inhibit uterine contractions in cases of preterm labor.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Asthma

A close-up of a glass beaker and a small crystalline pharmaceutical component on a sterile stainless steel laboratory workbench. — Vanderbilt University researchers identified the FDA-approved asthma medication ciclesonide as a potential treatment to inhibit preterm uterine contractions, potentially offering a safer alternative for fetal development. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should medical researchers prioritize repurposing existing FDA-approved drugs over developing new treatments?

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified the FDA-approved asthma medication ciclesonide as a potential candidate for stopping preterm uterine contractions. This repurposing study aims to provide safer alternatives to the current options available to pregnant individuals.

Why it matters

There are currently no FDA-approved medications in the United States specifically indicated for stopping labor contractions. Finding existing, safe treatments could extend pregnancies, allowing for more critical fetal development.

A screening of 1,191 FDA-approved medications identified ciclesonide, a prescription steroid typically used for asthma, as a candidate for inhibiting uterine contractions.

The players

Vanderbilt University

This private research university based in Nashville is known for its academic medical center and extensive scientific research initiatives.

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences

This center is part of the National Institutes of Health and focuses on accelerating the delivery of new treatments to patients.

The details

The Vanderbilt University research team utilized a drug-repurposing methodology to analyze existing pharmacological data for pregnancy applications. The study focused on identifying drugs capable of reducing uterine muscle activity while simultaneously limiting effects on vascular smooth muscle.

September 23, 2026: The study was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

The Big Picture

This research follows a pattern set by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences drug-repurposing initiatives to evaluate already approved drugs for novel clinical applications. It highlights how existing medical databases can accelerate discovery by repurposing legacy medications for new therapeutic uses.

This development could eventually lead to safer and more effective treatment options for those at risk of preterm labor. Currently, patients must rely on off-label medications, meaning future clinical validation is necessary before this approach impacts standard care.

The takeaway

Repurposing existing, well-studied drugs can be a faster route to medical breakthroughs than developing entirely new compounds. Patients should continue to follow current standard-of-care guidance while researchers perform the necessary clinical trials for these new applications.