Obstetric analgesia: Comparison between tramadol, morphine, and pethidine

Abstract

A prospective blind, randomized study was conducted in 135 pregnant women in the labor room at Ramathibodi Hospital to compare analgesic effects between tramadol, morphine, and pethidine. In the tramadol group the analgesic effect was good in 24.5% of patients, satisfactory in 53.3%, and there was no response in 22.2%. In the morphine group the analgesic effect was good in 36.6% of patients, satisfactory in 40.0%, and there was no response in 24.4%. In the pethidine group the analgesic effect was good in 31.1% of patients, satisfactory in 48.9%, and there was no response in 20.0%. The differences in response in all three groups were statistically insignificant. The side effects in all three groups were minimal, consisting of drowsiness, palpitation, nausea, and vomiting. There was no respiratory depression in the neonates.