title: Meperidine versus valethamate bromide in shortening the duration of active labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy and safety of meperidine hydrochloride and valethamate bromide against placebo in shortening the duration of active labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomly assigned 160 nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy at term who needed induction of labor to one of 3 treatments: 50 mg of meperidine (n=53), 16 mg of valethamate bromide (n=53), or a normal saline solution as placebo (n=54). All medications were given by slow intravenous infusion. Labor duration was the main outcome measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervals between infusion and complete cervical dilation and between infusion and delivery were significantly reduced (P<0.001 and P<0.01) in the meperidine group (103.0+/-64.5 minutes and 119.8+/-70.2 minutes), in contrast to the placebo group (173.9+/-74.8 minutes and 192.2+/-82.8 minutes). However, differences were not significant between the 2 treatment groups (139.6+/-63.1 minutes and 160.6+/-71.9 minutes), or between the valethamate bromide and the placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Meperidine, but not valethamate bromide, significantly shortened the duration of active labor in nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy at term.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health, Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. drbulentyilmaz@yahoo.com
authors: Bulent
authors: B
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Cavit
authors: C
authors: Kart
authors: Sefa
authors: S
authors: Kelekci
authors: Umut
authors: U
authors: Gokturk
authors: Necdet
authors: N
authors: Sut
authors: Nurten
authors: N
authors: Tarlan
authors: Leyla
authors: L
authors: Mollamahmutoglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000187:drug effects; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000187:drug effects*; D008614:Meperidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D008614:Meperidine; C004904:valethamate