European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Labour can be defined as the natural and physiological event of delivery of the child. It has been proved that the dilatation of cervix is one of the important factors determining the duration of labour. The prolonged labour will result in maternal exhaustion. In this crucial situation, certain drugs which will overcome the functional over activity of the circular muscles of cervix. The aim of the present study is to compare the effect of drugs - Drotaverine Hydrochloride and Valethamate Bromide in Shortening the duration of active phase of labour.
Among the patients in the study group, most of the subjects involved were of active fertile age group. The rate of cervical dilatation in active phase was more in group II and least in group I. Mean duration of II-stage of labour was found to be more in group-I followed by group III and II. Active phase first injection delivery interval was more in group I and least in group II. The character of amniotic fluid was mostly clear in all the three groups. Mode of delivery was normal vaginal delivery mostly in all the three groups. While observation of relation between drugs and fetal outcome, APGAR score was >7/10 in all the three groups at 1 minute and 5 minutes after delivery.  Mean duration of active phase, Mean rate of cervical dilatation & Mean active phase are significant among the three groups.
Drotaverine hydrochloride is a superior cervical dilatation agent drug which significantly reduces the duration of labour with minimal ill effects on the mother and the fetus. It is significantly better than Valethamate bromide with minimal unwanted side effects due to its selective action.

Background: Labour is a natural physiological phenomenon of childbirth. Painless and short labor is desired by every woman and is a constant aim for obstetrician. To avoid prolonged labour and its ill effects, sedation, amniotomy, oxytocin and prostaglandin have been used. The aim of this study to compare the efficacy of drotaverine hydrochloride and valethamate bromide on cervical dilation in active labour at newly established tertiary care centre.
Materials& Methods: This prospective study was conducted in Govt. Hospital for maternal & child health care at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology attached to Government Medical College, Dungarpur, Rajasthan, India during one year period. The patients were divided into 3 groups of 50 patients. Group I (Normal labour patients) (N=50), Group II (Patients who received Inj. Drotaverine Hydrochloride) (N=50) and Group III (Patients who received Inj. Valethamate Bromide) (N=50). Various parameters of duration of labor, mode of delivery, maternal and fetal complications and side effects of these drugs were compared in three groups.
Results: Drotaverine hydrochlomide and Valethamate bromide achieved 53% and 38% reduction in mean duration of active phase of labour respectively compared with control group. The mean rate of cervical dilatation was 2.66 cm/hrfaster with Drotaverine and 1.50 cm/hr with epidosin compared to control. The mean drug delivery interval was 47.72% shortened by Drotaverine and 35.90% shortened by Valethamate compared to Active phase Delivery interval of Controlgroup.
Conclusion: Drotaverine hydrochloride is a superior cervical dilatation agent significantly reducing the duration of labour without any ill effects on the motheror the fetus. It is significantly better than Valethamate bromide with less side effects due to selective action. Hence it is recommended that Drotaverine Hydrochloride may be given to low-risk women in active labour.