title: Use of an antispasmodic (rociverine) to shorten the length of labor: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effectiveness of rociverine, an antispasmodic drug, for reducing the duration of labor among nulliparous women managed according to a standard intrapartum protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  An academic tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nulliparae in spontaneous active labor, with cervical dilatation between 3 and 5 cm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned to receive either an intramuscular injection of 20mg rociverine (n=55) or the same volume of saline (n=56).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cervical dilatation rate (from administration of study drug to full dilatation).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laboring women who received rociverine had faster cervical dilatation than those assigned to placebo (2.43 ± 1.84 vs. 1.85 ± 1.38 cm/hour, p=0.03). The time interval from treatment administration to full cervical dilatation was shorter in the rociverine group than in the placebo group (220 ± 125 vs. 278 ± 129 min, p=0.04). No difference was found in any other obstetric outcome. No adverse effects have been recorded from rociverine administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intrapartum administration of rociverine to nulliparous women may help to reduce the duration of the first stage of labor in a context of uniform labor management.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. antonellacromi@libero.it
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Cromi
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Ghezzi
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Agosti
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Uccella
authors: Nicoletta
authors: N
authors: Piazza
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Serati
authors: Pierfrancesco
authors: P
authors: Bolis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007747:Labor Stage, First / Q000187:drug effects*; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D010276:Parasympatholytics; C021082:rociverine