Publication:

Effect of intramuscular tramadol hydrochloride as a labor analgesic in primagravidae

Background Labour pain is among the most severe pain experienced by women. The need for analgesia to overcome pain in labour is highly requested by women today. In developing nations where availability of facilities is the main limiting factor, intramuscular opioids can be considered.

Methods This study was conducted in teaching. 200 low risk primigravidae who fulfilled the selection criteria with full-term pregnancy with vertex presentation with good uterine contractions and already in active phase of labour were given 100 mg tramadol hydrochloride intramuscularly.

Results 200 primigravidae before giving the drug, no patient had grade-I or no pain, 19% had grade-III and 81% had grade-IV pain. After administration of tramadol hydrochloride IM there was reduction of pain from grade-III and grade IV by 52.49% and all of the patients continued with grade-II pain in 2nd stage and delivered normally and only 6 women had minimal side effects like nausea and vomiting.

Conclusions In low risk primigravidae, IM tramadol hydrochloride appears to be effective with minimal side effects. Hence, in developing nations, where availability of facilities is the main limiting factor, IM opioids can be considered as suitable alternatives.