Dihexyverine Hydrochloride

This study attempted to evaluate the effect of dihexyverine HCl (Metaspas), an anticholinergic and direct smooth muscle relaxant (spasmolytic), in shortening the first stage of labour. One hundred and five patients constituted the series: 31 were primiparae, 27 secundiparae and 47 multiparae. The majority of these (95) received one intramuscular injection (10 mg.) of dihexyverine. Alphaprodine (Nisentil), 40 mg., was administered in all but 10 cases, since dihexyverine has no analgesic action. Seventy-five control patients were used: 25 were primiparae, 25 secundiparae and 25 multiparae. Alphaprodine alone was administered to these control patients. The length of time for dilatation from 4 cm. to 10 cm. was the selected criterion. In the control group, the average time for complete cervical dilatation was 4 hours, 10 minutes. In the group treated by dihexyverine, complete dilatation was achieved in 1 hour, 16 minutes. On the average, the first stage of labour was 2 hours and 54 minutes shorter with dihexyverine; the clinical effect begins 10-30 minutes after administration. The only side effect encountered was a skin rash in one patient.