To characterize the effects of aminophylline and nifedipine on pregnant human myometrium, in vitro contractility studies were performed on myometrial strips obtained at cesarean section. The strips were stimulated with oxytocin (800 mU/L) to simulate labor and then were exposed to increasing concentrations of aminophylline (40, 100, and 400 mumol/L) or nifedipine (5, 10, and 20 micrograms/L). Both drugs produced a dose-related decrease in contraction strength, as measured by the time-integrated force of contraction. Aminophylline lengthened the period of contraction in a manner that was not dose dependent. Low-dose nifedipine (5 micrograms/L) increased the period of contraction, but higher doses had no effect on frequency. Both drugs produced a net reduction in the effectiveness of labor, as measured by the average force (time-integrated force divided by period). These results indicate that both aminophylline and nifedipine may be clinically useful tocolytic agents.