Meperidine versus valethamate bromide in shortening the duration of active labor

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of meperidine hydrochloride and valethamate bromide against placebo in shortening the duration of active labor.

Method: We randomly assigned 160 nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy at term who needed induction of labor to one of 3 treatments: 50 mg of meperidine (n=53), 16 mg of valethamate bromide (n=53), or a normal saline solution as placebo (n=54). All medications were given by slow intravenous infusion. Labor duration was the main outcome measure.

Results: The intervals between infusion and complete cervical dilation and between infusion and delivery were significantly reduced (P<0.001 and P<0.01) in the meperidine group (103.0+/-64.5 minutes and 119.8+/-70.2 minutes), in contrast to the placebo group (173.9+/-74.8 minutes and 192.2+/-82.8 minutes). However, differences were not significant between the 2 treatment groups (139.6+/-63.1 minutes and 160.6+/-71.9 minutes), or between the valethamate bromide and the placebo group.

Conclusion: Meperidine, but not valethamate bromide, significantly shortened the duration of active labor in nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy at term.