Drotaverine hydrochloride for augmentation of labor.
OBJECTIVE
To study the use of drotaverine hydrochloride for acceleration of labor and relief of labor pains.


METHODS
In this double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study, 100 primigravidas in uncomplicated spontaneous labor at term were given drotaverine hydrochloride or placebo (distilled water) intramuscularly. Labor events, including pain (assessed by a visual analog scale and a verbal rating scale), neonatal outcome, and side effects of the drug were recorded. Student's t-test was used for analysis.


RESULTS
Forty-four patients in the drug group and 40 in the placebo group had complete data for analysis after decoding. In drotaverine group, there was a mean 15% reduction in the duration of the first stage of labor and a mean 19% reduction in the second stage. The maximum shortening of the first stage (28%) was observed when drotaverine was administered when cervical dilatation was 4 cm (P=0.044). There were no adverse fetal effects, but atonic postpartum hemorrhage was more common in the drotaverine group. There was no relief of pain with the drug except in the fourth stage of labor.


CONCLUSIONS
Drotaverine hydrochloride is safe and effective in accelerating labor, but not effective in lessening labor pain.
Singh
K C
KC
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Anesthesiology, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India. kcsingh@vsnl.com
Jain
P
P
Goel
N
N
Saxena
A
A
D000328:Adult; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000187:drug effects; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000187:drug effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010208:Papaverine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D011247:Pregnancy
D000700:Analgesics; D010276:Parasympatholytics; C005317:drotaverin; D010208:Papaverine