Publication:

Comparison of injection drotaverine and injection valethamate bromide on duration and course of labor

Background Numerous drugs have been used to shorten the active phase of labor. How rationale is it to use these drugs to shorten the active phase of labor? Do they really shorten the duration of labor? What adverse effects do they have on the baby and the mother? These questions were the basis to perform the present study of comparing two of such drugs, injection drotaverine and injection Valethamate bromide with control subjects.

Methods This was a prospective study conducted in a tertiary center over a span of 2 years. 120 patients were enrolled in the study group. These patients were randomly allotted in 3 groups: a. 60 patients (30 primigravida and 30 multigravida) - control group (no drug given), b. 30 patients (15 primigravida and 15 multigravida) - drotaverine (DROTIN) group, c. 30 patients (15 primigravida and 15 multigravida) - valethamate bromide (EPIDOSIN) group. A statistical test, ‘unpaired t test’, was used to test the results for statistical significance. A x2 (chi square) test was used to test results of side effects for statistical significance.

Results The mean duration of active phase of first stage of labor was significantly shorter in the drotaverine and valethamate bromide groups as compared to control group in both primigravida and multigravida patients.

Conclusions The rate of cervical dilatation under the influence of valethamate bromide and drotaverine is significantly higher as compared to control group. In each group dilatation was faster in multigravida patients as compared to primigravida and it was fastest in the drotaverine group.