Intravenous infusion of paracetamol versus intravenous pethidine as an intrapartum analgesic in the first stage of labor

Abstract

The effectiveness of intravenous paracetamol was comparable to that of intravenous pethidine, but paracetamol had fewer maternal adverse effects.

Comparison of analgesic efficacy of paracetamol and tramadol for pain relief in active labor

“…Furthermore, the mean drug-to-delivery interval was significantly shorter with the use of paracetamol (309 ± 110 minutes) as compared to tramadol (398 ± 146 minutes). This result was in accordance with the study conducted by Elbohoty et al, wherein drug-todelivery interval was significantly shorter with the use of paracetamol (5.2 hours) as compared to pethidine (9.1 hours) [2]. Previous studies with the use of tramadol have shown varied results with regard to its effect on duration of labor.…”

“…Reduced first stage of labor may decrease incidence of complications associated with prolonged labor and, in turn, lower the incidence of operative deliveries [2]. However, we found no difference in the incidence of cesarean deliveries in our study, with 4 patients undergoing operative delivery in group P as compared to 5 patients in group T.…”

“…Analgesic effect of both the drugs lasted for 2 hours as determined by significantly lower pain scores at 10, 20, 30, 60, and 120 minutes from the baseline. However, following [2] using paracetamol as an intrapartum analgesic. Primiparous women in labor were randomized to receive pethidine or paracetamol.…”

“…Pain accompanying uterine contractions causes marked physiological changes in cardiopulmonary functions and oxygen consumption. In addition, labor pain is associated with generalized neuroendocrine stress response, maternal acidemia, and incoordinate uterine contractility [1,2]. Pain relief during labor has been shown to have a positive impact on the course of labor [3].…”

“…A central mechanism involving activation of descending serotonergic pathways is also hypothesized [8]. In a single study examining the analgesic efficacy of paracetamol in laboring women, Elbohoty et al [2] found that the drug was equally effective when compared with pethidine but had fewer side effects.…”