Publication:

Drotaverine hydrochloride versus valethamate bromide for cervical dilatation in labour: a comparative study

Background Labor is the most perilous journey a woman has to undertake. Painless and short labor is desired by every woman and is a constant aim for obstetrician. Objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of drotaverine hydrochloride with valethamate bromide for cervical dilatation in labor in primigravida.

Methods The present study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, S. P. Medical College and Associated Group of Hospitals, Bikaner, Rajasthan from 1st August 2018 to 31st July 2019 over a period of 1 year. Total of 300 patients were included in the study with 150 patients in each of the two groups. In this study the effects of Drotaverine hydrochloride (Group A) and Valethamate bromide (Group B) on cervical dilatation were compared.

Results In our study, the mean drug delivery interval was 101.58±78.06 mins in Group A and 134.24±94.12 mins in Group B. The mean number of doses of drug required was 1.27±0.55 in Group A and 4.17±1.62 in Group B.  The difference was statistically highly significant (p <0.001).

Conclusions Drotaverine hydrochloride is found to be better than valethamate bromide in shortening the duration of active phase of labor in primigravidae. Drotaverine was found to be a better drug, hence, can be used to reduce the agony of the laboring woman without any significant side effects on the mother or the fetus.