A CLINICAL EVALUATION OF INTRAVENOUS DIMENHYDRINATE IN LABOUR

Abstract

Dimenhydrinate was administered intravenously to patients in spontaneous labour in order to evaluate its effect on the length of labour, its analgesic property, its potentiation of the effects of standard analgesics and its overall safety. The results of this study provided no evidence that labour was shortened or that uterine activity was increased in those receiving intravenous dimenhydrinate, nor did this drug decrease the need for conventional analgesics. There were no maternal or fetal complications. It is concluded that intravenous administration of dimenhydrinate has no advantage over analgesics administered by other routes and has a limited use in current obstetrical practice.