Comparing intravenous lidocaine and pethidine for pain management in emergency department patients with femoral bone fracture: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous lidocaine has shown promise as an effective analgesic in various clinical settings, but its utility for pain management in emergency departments, especially for bone fractures, remains relatively understudied. OBJECTIVE: This study compared intravenous lidocaine to pethidine for femoral bone fracture pain management. METHODS: This double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in the emergency department of AJA University of Medical Sciences affiliated hospitals. Patients aged 18-70 years-old with femoral bone fracture and experiencing severe pain, defined as a numerical rating scale (NRS) of pain ≥ 7, were included in the study. One group received intravenous pethidine (25 mg), while the other group received intravenous lidocaine (3 mg/kg, not exceeding 200 mg), infused with 250 ml saline over 20 min. Pain levels were evaluated before treatment administration (0 min) and at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min after treatment administration using the NRS. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were enrolled in the study. Demographic characteristics and pain scores were similar between the two groups. The mean pain scores upon arrival for the lidocaine and pethidine groups were 8.50 ± 1 and 8.0 ± 1, respectively; after one hour, they were 4.0 ± 1 and 4.0 ± 1, respectively. While there was a statistically significant reduction in pain in both groups after one hour, there were no clinically or statistically significant differences between the two groups (p = 0.262). Pethidine had a higher incidence of adverse events, though not statistically significant. Additionally, females required more rescue analgesics. CONCLUSION: The administration of intravenous lidocaine is beneficial for managing pain in femoral bone fractures, suggesting that lidocaine could be a potent alternative to opioids. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20231213060355N1 ( https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/74624 ) (30/12/2023).

Effect of Pethidine Injection on the Duration of Labor and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background and Objectives: Long and ineffective labor causes hardships for mothers and doctors and increases the rate of cesarean sections and medical comorbidities. Several factors contribute to effective and less painful labor, including maternal age, parity, fetal characteristics, and the medications or procedures that obstetricians use for labor. We aimed to study the factors that affect labor duration and identify those that make labor more effective. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 141 patients who underwent normal vaginal deliveries at the Daegu Catholic University Medical Center between April 2013 and April 2022. Among the 141 patients, 44 received pethidine intravenously, 88 received oxytocin intravenously, and 64 received epidural anesthesia. The duration of the active phase and second stage of labor were recorded according to the findings of a manual examination of the cervix and continuous external electronic monitoring. We analyzed maternal and neonatal medical records and performed binomial logistic regression to identify the factors associated with a shorter active phase of labor. The clinical outcomes in mothers and neonates were also evaluated. Results: Among the various clinical factors, multiparity (odds ratio of parity 0.325) and the use of pethidine (odds ratio 2.906) were significantly associated with shortening the active phase of labor to less than 60 min. The use of epidural anesthesia or oxytocin was not significantly associated with reducing the active phase of labor. When patients were divided into two groups based on whether a pethidine injection had been used during labor, the duration of the active phase was shorter in the pethidine injection group than in the control group for both nulliparas and multiparas. No significant differences in the duration of the second stage of labor were observed between the pethidine injection and control groups. There were no significant differences in pregnancy outcomes, including the need for mechanical ventilation of neonates, Apgar scores, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, number of precipitous deliveries, maternal adverse side effects of drugs, or duration of maternal hospitalization between the two groups. Conclusions: Pethidine can be safely administered to women during labor to help reduce the duration of the active phase by promoting dilatation of the cervix and preventing complications that may result from prolonged labor. Pethidine may be helpful, especially for those who cannot receive epidural anesthesia or who cannot afford it. However, large-scale randomized controlled studies are required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this drug during labor. Furthermore, it would be helpful if various studies were conducted depending on the timing of administration and indications for delivery.

Dual-emission ratiometric fluorescent probe based on N-doped CQDs@UiO-66/PVA nanocomposite hydrogel for quantification of pethidine in human plasma.

A synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) sensor for pethidine detection is described based on UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) modified with N-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) embedded in hydrogel nanocomposites. Benefitting from the inovative  design of the doping method in the carbonaceous structure, N-CQDs were successfully deposited in the pores of the UiO-66 network. Then, N-CQDs were employed as a sensitive segment toward the target molecules. UiO-66 was used for sensitive and selective sensing of the bonding interactions between N-CQDs and pethidine so that the electron transfer process from UiO-66 to the pethidine-N-CQD complex results in quenching the SFS intensity of UiO-66. To embed the stable and suitable sensing interface for pethidine assessment, the designed nanomaterial was inserted into the hydrogel network. This nanocomposite hydrogel showed two well-resolved emission peaks at 300 nm and 350 nm under ∆λ = 70, which corresponded to N-CQDs and UiO-66, respectively. The SFS sensing platform was employed for ratiometric detection of pethidine with a low limit of detection of 0.002 µg mL-1 over a wide concentration range from 0.005 to 1.0 µg mL-1. The accurate monitoring of pethidine with a good recovery of 90.8-101.5% indicated their independency from matrix effects for pethidine detection in human plasma being a complicated biological matrix. Scheme 1. General procedure for synthesizing N-CQDs@UiO-66/PVA hydrogel-based nanoprobe and its application for pethidine determination.

Intra-articular remifentanil on postoperative pain in knee arthroscopic surgery; a double blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the efficacy of intra-articular remifentanil in relieving postoperative pain after knee arthroscopy. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial study on 60 patients. Patients were divided into two equal groups. The control group received 25 ml of intra-articular normal saline, and the intervention group received 200 µg of remifentanil dissolved in 25 ml of saline. We evaluated at rest postoperative pain at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after the surgery using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patients with VAS scores of 4 or more received meperidine (pethidine). The first time meperidine was requested and the total amount of meperidine consumed was recorded. RESULTS: Out of 60 patients, 49 were male (81.6%), and the mean age of participants was 32.71 (7.02) years. An hour after the surgery, the control group showed a mean VAS score of 8.66 (1.26), and decreased to 2.53 (1.67) at the end of 24 h. The intervention group started with a mean VAS score of 2.23 (1.81) and ended at 0.10 (0.305). All patients in the control group and 11 (36.7%) patients in the intervention group asked for analgesics during follow-up. The mean total meperidine dose in the control and intervention groups was 108.33 (23.97) mg and 13.33 (19.40) mg, respectively (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval of the difference 83.72 to 106.27). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular remifentanil may decrease postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.

Effectiveness of Nitrous Oxide versus Pethidine/Midazolam for Pain Relief in Minor Gynecological Operative Procedures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aim and Objective: To compare the analgesic effectiveness of the patient-controlled inhaled nitrous oxide (Entonox®) with intravenous opioids (pethidine/midazolam) in reducing pain during minor gynecological operative procedures, including manual vacuum aspiration (MVA), fractional curettage and dilatation and curettage. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing minor gynecological procedures from August 2021 to December 2022 were randomized to receive nitrous oxide or intravenous pethidine (50-75 micrograms) plus midazolam (2 mg). Pain scores during and post-procedure, satisfaction level, and side effects were assessed and compared. Results: A total of 106 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 53 in the pethidine/midazolam group and 53 in the nitrous oxide group. Baseline characteristics were comparable (p-value > 0.05). Pain scores during, immediately and 30 min after procedures were not significantly different in two groups (4.94 ± 3.15, 2.74 ± 2.57, 1.58 ± 2.13 vs. 5.47 ± 2.80, 2.98 ± 2.70, 1.64 ± 2.70; p-value: 0.174, 0.634, 0.889, for pethidine/midazolam vs. nitrous oxide group, respectively. Satisfaction scores were comparable in both groups (p-value > 0.05). However, the rate of side effects was significantly lower in the nitrous oxide group (3.8% vs. 28.3%; p-value 0.001). Additionally, the discharge scores showed a significantly faster recovery time in the nitrous oxide group at 60 and 90 min after the procedure; median (IQR): 10 (9-10) vs. 9 (8-10) and 10 (10-10) vs. 10 (8.5-10); p-value 0.002 and 0.029, respectively). Conclusions: Nitrous oxide is as effective as pethidine/midazolam for pain relief in minor gynecological operative procedures but associated with significantly lower side effects and significantly faster recovery time.

Randomized single-blind comparative study of the midazolam/pethidine combination and midazolam alone during bronchoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Bronchoscopy can be a distress for the patient. There have been few studies on the combination of sedatives and opioids. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the usefulness and safety of administration of the combination of midazolam and pethidine during bronchoscopy. METHODS: In this prospective randomized single (patient)-blind study, we randomly assigned 100 patients who were scheduled to undergo bronchoscopy biopsy to receive treatment with either the midazolam/pethidine combination (combination group) or midazolam alone (midazolam group) during examinations. After the end of bronchoscopy, patients completed a questionnaire and the visual analogue scale was measured. The primary outcome was the patients' acceptance of re-examination assessed by visual analogue scale. We also assessed pain levels, vital signs, midazolam use, xylocaine use, and adverse events. Univariate analyses were performed using Fisher's exact test for categorical data, and the t-test or Mann-Whitney test was carried out for analysis of numeric data. All P-values were two-sided, and values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We analyzed 47 patients in the combination group and 49 patients in the midazolam group. The primary outcome was a good trend in the combination group, but not significantly different (3.82 ± 2.3 in combination group versus 4.17 ± 2.75 in midazolam alone, P = 0.400). In the combination group, the visual analog scale score for pain during bronchoscopy was significantly lower (1.10 ± 1.88 versus 2.13 ± 2.42, P = 0.022), and the sedation level score per the modified observer's assessment of alertness/sedation scale was significantly deeper (3.49 ± 0.98 versus 3.94 ± 1.03, P = 0.031). Maximal systolic blood pressure during testing was significantly lower (162.39 ± 23.45 mmHg versus 178.24 ± 30.24 mmHg, P = 0.005), and the number of additional administrations of midazolam was significantly lower (2.06 ± 1.45 versus 2.63 ± 1.35, P = 0.049). There were also significantly fewer adverse events (30 versus 41, P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The combination uses of midazolam and pethidine for sedation resulted in significant improvements in the pain, blood pressure, additional use of midazolam, and safety during bronchoscopy among patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in the University Medical Hospital Information Network in Japan (UMINCTR Registration number: UMIN000032230 , Registered: 13/April/2018).

The impact of antenatal massage practice on intrapartum massage application and their associations with the use of analgesics during labour : Sub-analysis of a randomised control trial.

BACKGROUND: Massage during labour is one form of intrapartum non-pharmacological pain relief but it is not known whether the frequency of practicing these massage techniques among couples during the antenatal period could enhance the effectiveness of intrapartum massage. This study was to evaluate the association between compliance of antenatal massage practice with intrapartum application and their impact on the use of analgesics during labour. METHODS: This was a sub-analysis of a childbirth massage programme which was carried out in two public hospitals with total births of around 8000 per year. Data from women who were randomized to the massage group were further analysed. After attending the pre-birth training class on massage at 36 weeks gestation, couples would be encouraged to practice at home. Their compliance with massage at home was classified as good if they had practiced for at least 15 minutes for three or more days in a week, or as poor if the three-day threshold had not been reached. Application of intrapartum massage was quantified by the duration of practice divided by the total duration of the first stage of labour. Women's application of intrapartum massage were then divided into above and below median levels according to percentage of practice. Logistic regression was used to assess the use of epidural analgesia or pethidine, adjusted for duration of labour and gestational age when attending the massage class. RESULTS: Among the 212 women included, 103 women (48.6%) achieved good home massage compliance. No significant difference in the maternal characteristics or birth outcomes was observed between the good and poor compliance groups. The intrapartum massage application (median 21.1%) was inversely associated with duration of first stage of labour and positively associated with better home massage practice compliance (p = 0.04). Lower use of pethidine or epidural analgesia (OR 0.33 95% CI 0.12, 0.90) was associated with above median intrapartum massage application but not antenatal massage compliance, adjusted for duration of first stage of labour. CONCLUSIONS: More frequent practice of massage techniques among couples during antenatal period could enhance the intrapartum massage application, which may reduce the use of pethidine and epidural analgesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: (CCRBCTR) Unique Trial Number CUHK_ CCRB00525 .

Analgesic effect of paracetamol monotherapy vs. the combination of paracetamol/parecoxib vs. the combination of pethidine/paracetamol in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of 3 different regimens of combination analgesics administered to patients undergoing thyroidectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 152 patients undergoing total or subtotal thyroidectomy were enrolled. Patients allocated to group A received a combination of intravenous (IV) paracetamol and intramuscular (IM) pethidine, patients in group B received a combination of IV paracetamol and IV parecoxib, while patients in group C received IV paracetamol monotherapy. RESULTS: The analgesic regimens of groups A and B were found to be of equivalent efficacy (p-value = 1.000). In contrast, patients in group C (paracetamol monotherapy) had higher numerical rating scale scores, compared to both patients in groups A (p-value < 0.001) and B (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The combinations of IV paracetamol with either IM pethidine or IV parecoxib are superior to IV paracetamol monotherapy in achieving pain control in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

Adverse events associated with bidirectional endoscopy with midazolam and pethidine.

Same-day bidirectional endoscopy has been reported to reduce recovery time, and procedure-related cost. The safety of bidirectional endoscopy vs colonoscopy only, while using midazolam and pethidine, has never been evaluated. We reviewed 1,202 consecutive patients who underwent bidirectional endoscopy or colonoscopy only with administration of midazolam and pethidine in Toyoshima Ensdoscopy Clinic. We compared the clinical characteristics and adverse events associated with method of endoscopy (colonoscopy only vs bidirectional endoscopy). Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to study the role of age, sex, use of sedative, polypectomy, and bidirectional endoscopy in adverse events. In the bidirectional endoscopy group, the doses of pethidine and midazolam, and the incidence rates of hypoxia and posto-endoscopic nausea were significantly higher. On multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio = 1.061, p<0.001), use of pethidine (odds ratio = 4.311, p = 0.003), and bidirectional endoscopy (odds ratio = 3.658, p<0.001) were independently associated with hypoxia. On multivariate analysis, female sex (odds ratio = 10.25, p = 0.027) and bidirectional endoscopy (odds ratio = 6.051, p = 0.022) were independently associated with post-endoscopic nausea. In conclusion, bidirectional endoscopy could increase hypoxia in elderly patients using pethidine and post-endoscopic nausea in female patients.

Safety and efficacy of fentanyl versus pethidine in cataract surgery under propofol- based sedation: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The study was aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fentanyl and pethidine on the sedative quality of patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery with Propofol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, patients who were candidates for elective phacoemulsification surgery with topical anesthesia were enrolled. The selected patients were randomly allocated into the two groups for receiving sedation with Propofol-Pethidine (PP) or propofol-fentanyl (PF) combinations. Demographic characteristics, hemodynamic parameters before, during, and after the operation, sedation and pain scores, and patients' and surgeons' satisfaction scores were compared in the two studied groups. RESULTS: In this trial, 70 patients (35 patients in each group) have completed the study. Mean (standard deviation) operation time was 22.9 (6.8) and 25.46 (7.7) minutes in PF and PP groups (P = 0.118).Mean pain score in PF 0.46 (0.14) was significantly higher than PP groups 0.236 (0.06) (P = 0.011). The mean value of diastolic and systolic blood pressures, pulse rate, and mean arterial pressure dioxide were significantly decreased in both PF and PP groups (P Time < 0.001), although there was no significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated the equivalence effects on hemodynamic parameters for both pethidine and fentanyl in combination with propofol in which they could provide appropriate sedation and safe anesthesia with lower complications and acceptable patients' and surgeons' satisfaction.

Safety and efficacy of a combination of pethidine and levallorphan for pain relief during labor: An observational study.

AIM: To evaluate the safety, effect on breastfeeding and efficacy of a combination of pethidine and levallorphan (Pethilorfan) for pain relief during labor. METHODS: We compared maternal or neonatal morbidities, suckling difficulties in newborns and breastfeeding rates between 177 women who received 50-200 mg (as pethidine) of Pethilorfan during labor (Pethilorfan group) and 354 women who delivered their infants without analgesic drugs immediately before or after each woman in the Pethilorfan group (control group) from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2016. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses for comparison between the two groups. We also evaluated the efficacy of Pethilorfan retrospectively. RESULTS: The Pethilorfan group included more women with prolonged and/or operative deliveries than the control group. Nevertheless, no significant differences were seen between the two groups in the rates of Apgar scores less than 7 at 1 or 5 min, composite neonatal morbidities, hyperbilirubinemia or respiratory disturbances. The incidence of suckling difficulties lasting over 24 h and the breastfeeding rates at discharge or after 1 month were also similar. Maternal adverse effects of Pethilorfan were generally mild and transient. The efficacy ratio of Pethilorfan was 83.6%, although its analgesic effect was usually incomplete. CONCLUSION: Pethilorfan can be used safely for labor pain relief without increasing maternal or neonatal morbidities, or impeding breastfeeding, if it is administered at a prudent dosage. Parenteral opioids including Pethilorfan should remain as an option for treating women in labor pain, particularly when epidural analgesia is not readily available or contraindicated.

Changes in consumption of opioid analgesics in Israel 2009 to 2016: An update focusing on oxycodone and fentanyl formulations.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to assess opioid (morphine, methadone, oxycodone, pethidine, and fentanyl) consumption in Israel during 2009 to 2016 and identify recent trends. METHODS: Data for all treatment settings, private and public, for the years 2009 to 2016, were extracted from the Israel Ministry of Health's Pharmaceutical Administration database. The data were used to calculate defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day, of the various drugs. RESULTS: Consumption of the 5 opioids increased by 68%, from 3.40 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2009 to 5.72 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2016. This trend resulted mostly from increases in oxycodone consumption from 0.50 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day to 2.03 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day (namely, 4-fold) and in fentanyl consumption, from 1.09 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day to 2.33 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day (about 2-fold). The use of the 3 remaining opioids decreased substantially as follows: pethidine from 0.03 DDD/1000/day in 2009 to 0.007 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 2016 (-67%), methadone from 1.61 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day to 1.20 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day (-25%), and morphine from 0.17 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day to 0.15 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day (-12%). An increasing trend was also observed in the use of oxycodone/naloxone (Targin) and oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet) combinations, while a decrease was observed in the use of pure oxycodone formulations. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in opioid consumption persisted throughout the years 2009 to 2016. This has been associated with substantial changes in the patterns of prescribing opioids, characterized by increases in oxycodone and fentanyl prescriptions and decreases in morphine, methadone, and pethidine prescriptions. A national program aiming to ensure safe use of opioids in the treatment of chronic pain is warranted.

Pethidine dose and female sex as risk factors for nausea after esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Nausea and vomiting after esophagogastroduodenoscopy have not been studied in detail. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for post-endoscopic nausea. We performed a case-control study at the Toyoshima Endoscopy Clinic. Eighteen patients with post-endoscopic nausea and 190 controls without post-endoscopic nausea were analyzed. We conducted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with respect to patient age; sex; body height; body weight; the use of psychotropic drugs as baseline medications; and the dosing amounts of midazolam, pethidine, flumazenil and naloxone. On univariate analysis, post-endoscopic nausea was significantly related with patient age (odds ratio = 0.946); female sex (odds ratio = 10.85); body weight (odds ratio = 0.975); and the dose per kg body weight of pethidine (odds ratio = 53.03), naloxone (odds ratio = 1.676), and flumazenil (odds ratio = 1.26). On multivariate analysis, the dose per kg body weight of pethidine (odds ratio = 21.67, p = 0.004) and female sex (odds ratio = 13.12, p = 0.047) were the factors independently associated with post-endoscopic nausea. The prevalence of nausea after esophagogastroduodenoscopy was 0.49% (18/3,654). In conclusion, post-endoscopic nausea was associated with the dose of pethidine and female sex.

Pethidine hydrochloride is a better sedation method for pharyngeal observation by transoral endoscopy compared with no sedation and midazolam.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Standard surveillance methods for pharyngeal cancer have not been established. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the best sedation method for pharyngeal observation using transoral endoscopy. METHODS: In total, 120 patients who underwent surveillance or diagnostic examinations for esophageal cancer were enrolled and divided equally into three groups (no sedation, midazolam, or pethidine hydrochloride). In the midazolam group, midazolam was given i.v. maintaining a Ramsay score of 3. In the pethidine group, pethidine hydrochloride (35 mg) given i.v. Seven sites in five pharyngeal regions were observed on insertion of the endoscope, and graded (0 = poor, 1 = good). After examination, the five pharyngeal regions were scored using a seven-point scale. Primary endpoint was the total score from the five pharyngeal regions. Secondary endpoints were the proportion of the perfect score using the seven-point scale, discomfort score, and adverse events. RESULTS: Mean total scores for the no sedation group, the midazolam group and the pethidine group were 5.7, 5.5, and 6.8, respectively (P < 0.0001). Proportion of patients with a perfect score for the no sedation group, the midazolam group and the pethidine group were 53%, 35%, and 89%, respectively (P < 0.0001). The pethidine group had better results than the other two groups. Discomfort score and adverse events were low in the pethidine group. CONCLUSION: Pethidine hydrochloride is a feasible and safe sedation method, and was superior to no sedation and midazolam regarding pharyngeal observation of esophageal cancer patients.

[Pain therapy in obstetrics]. / Schmerztherapie in der Geburtshilfe.

Labor pains can be stronger than pain caused by fractures and as a result of fear and stress can even have a negative effect on the course of parturition. A proportion of 75% of all women in labor use one or more supportive forms of analgesia to relieve labor pains. The procedures used range from supportive non-pharmacological measures, single intramuscular or intravenous analgesics and a prolonged inhalative analgesia up to highly efficient neuraxial blocks. Non-pharmacological interventions are considered to be generally safe but poorly effective. In contrast, pharmacological and invasive interventions are proven to be effective for analgesia but associated with potential side effects.

Changes in milk composition associated with pethidine-PCEA usage after Caesarean section.

The effect of pethidine as patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) on specific biochemical components in breast milk in relation to the timing of secretory activation is not well investigated. The aim of this study was to compare biochemical timing of secretory activation between women who had a vaginal (V) or Caesarean birth with pethidine-PCEA (CBP). Several milk samples were collected daily from 36 mothers (17 V, 19 CBP) for the first 265 h post-partum. Protein and lactose concentrations and Na+ and K+ ion levels were measured. Samples were assigned to three time periods: 0-72, >72-165 and >165-265 h post-partum for statistical analyses. Data were analyzed using linear mixed effect models. In the first 72 h post-partum, the mean difference in lactose concentration was 5 gL-1 higher in group V (P < 0.05). From >72-165 h post-partum, protein and Na+ concentrations were lower in group V (P = 0.05, P = 0.02), and K+ levels were higher in group V (P < 0.001). From >165-265 h post-partum, there were no significant differences between the groups. Biochemically, secretory activation had occurred by 72 h post-partum in both groups. There were greater variations in measured biochemical components observed within group CBP initially. However, by 165 h post-partum, there were no differences in the biochemical components between the groups. This suggests that effects of pethidine-PCEA are diminished by 72 h post-partum and undetected by 165 h.

The safety of meperidine prescribing in older adults: A longitudinal population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Meperidine (pethidine) is an opioid analgesic that offers little advantage relative to other opioids and several disadvantages including limited potency, short duration of action, and the production of a neurotoxic metabolite (normeperidine) with a long half-life. Older adults are more sensitive to meperidine's side effects and may have diminished renal function which leads to the accumulation of normeperidine. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices has suggested avoiding meperidine in older adults, limiting its dose (≤600 mg/day) and duration of use (≤48 h). The objective of this study was to determine the level of meperidine use in older adults and assess the dosage and duration of meperidine with reference to these safety recommendations. METHODS: A longitudinal study using administrative healthcare data was conducted to examine meperidine utilization and levels of high dose and extended duration prescribing among persons ≥65 years of age between April 1, 2001, and March 31, 2014 in Manitoba, Canada. The number of meperidine prescriptions, users, duration of treatment, defined daily doses (DDD) dispensed and number of prescribers were determined over the study period. RESULTS: In the Manitoba older adult population there was a marked decline in meperidine users and prescriptions from 2001 to 2014. There was an average use of 26.4 (95 % CI 24.0-28.8) DDDs of meperidine per user per year. While only 3.7 % of the prescriptions exceeded the 600 mg maximum daily dose, 96.7 % of prescriptions exceeded the recommended 2 days of therapy. For the remaining users of meperidine, the amount of meperidine used per person rose from 18.98 to 56.14 DDDs/user/year over the study period. The number of prescribers of meperidine declined throughout the study, but low DDD prescribers declined more quickly than high DDD prescribers. CONCLUSIONS: While meperidine use has declined, the remaining use appears to be decreasing in safety, with more meperidine prescribed per user. This seems to be driven by the continued prescribing by a small number of high DDD prescribers. Targeted educational initiatives directed at this small group of prescribers may be helpful. Alternatively removing meperidine from medication insurance schemes may provide additional incentive to avoid meperidine in older adults.

Prevalence, associated factors and treatment of post spinal shivering in a Sub-Saharan tertiary hospital: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Surgery and anaesthesia cause shivering due to thermal dysregulation as a compensatory mechanism and is worsened by vasodilatation from spinal anaesthesia that redistributes core body heat. Due to paucity of data Mulago Hospital's post spinal shivering burden is unknown yet it causes discomfort and morbidity. METHODS: Ethical approval was obtained to perform the study among consenting mothers due for elective caesarean section from March to May 2011. We recruited ASA class I & II parturients and excluded non-consenting or spinal contra-indication patients. A standard spinal anaesthetic of 2mls of 0.5 % bupivacaine was given, intraoperative vitals were recorded every 5 min and we monitored for perioperative shivering till PACU discharge. RESULTS: We recruited 270 patients with majority being emergency caesarean deliveries (90.74 %), mainly due to failed progress from cephalopelvic disproportion. We noted 8.15 % shivering occuring mostly at 20 min, with hypotension plus hypothermia as associated factors. Intravenous pethidine (Meperidine) 25 mg effectively treated shivering and we had drowsiness, nausea and vomiting as PACU side effects that resolved on discharge to the ward. CONCLUSION: Post spinal shivering had a prevalence of 8.15 %, commonly occurred at 20 min postoperatively with hypotension plus hypothermia as main associated factors and intravenous Pethidine controlled it.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor binding affinities of pethidine analogs.

A series of pethidine analogs were synthesized and their affinities for the [(3)H]N-methyl-scopolamine (NMS) binding site on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) were determined using M1, M3 or M5 human mAChRs expressed by Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell membranes. Compound 6b showed the highest binding affinities at M1, M3 and M5 mAChRs (Ki=0.67, 0.37, and 0.38 µM, respectively).

A comparison of fentanyl with pethidine for pain relief during childbirth: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of fentanyl administered via the subcutaneous (s.c.) or intranasal (i.n.) route with intramuscular (i.m.) pethidine in labouring women requesting analgesia. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial three-armed, parallel-design. SETTING: A regional hospital and the largest tertiary maternity centre in South Australia. SAMPLE: One hundred and fifty-six healthy parturients birthing at term. METHODS: Women were randomised to receive s.c. fentanyl (n = 53), i.n. fentanyl (n = 52), or i.m. pethidine (n = 51). The outcomes were analysed by intention-to-treat. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain scores measured before and 30 minutes after opioid administration. RESULTS: All groups reported clinically significant reductions in pain scores (mean range 1.2-1.6; P < 0.001), with no significant differences between groups. Significantly more women in the fentanyl groups reported satisfaction with using the study drug again, compared with women receiving i.m. pethidine (82.9% i.n. fentanyl, 80.6% s.c. fentanyl, and 44.0% i.m. pethidine; P < 0.01). Women in the fentanyl groups experienced less sedation (i.n. fentanyl 7.3%, s.c. fentanyl 2.9%, i.m. pethidine 44%; P ≤ 0.03), shorter labours by at least 2 hours (P < 0.05), and fewer difficulties establishing breastfeeding (78.8% i.m. pethidine, 39.4% i.n. fentanyl, and 44.0% s.c. fentanyl; P < 0.01). Neonates in the pethidine group were more likely to require nursery admission (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Fentanyl administered by s.c. and i.n. routes is as efficacious in relieving labour pain as i.m. pethidine, but resulted in greater satisfaction, less sedation, shorter labour, fewer nursery admissions, and fewer difficulties in establishing breastfeeding. Fentanyl appears to be a suitable alternative to pethidine when providing parenteral pain relief to labouring women.