There is a drug known in the UK as Meptazinol and/or Meptid.

I asked my midwife about Meptid - she hadn't heard of it.

Does it go by another name here in Aus? If so, what?


Thanks.

What's it used for?

It's a painkiller, usually used in obstetrics.

Here's the Wikipedia info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meptazinol

I had a look through the MIMS but couldn't find anything. Hope you can find what you're looking for.

Its also known as Meptazinol. Its not widely used in obstetrics anymore, I have never seen it used in any australian labour wards. The nearest alternative would be pethidine.

Hence my question - my understanding is that Pethidine drugs the baby also, which can lengthen and complicate labour (baby is too stoned to help itself wriggle down the canal), and can stop the baby feeding initially (again, too sleepy to be bothered). Plus Pethidine is more addictive and takes longer to leave the mother's sytem.

Meptid is, so I'm told, the 'safer' alternative - slightly less effective on the pain front, but doesn't affect the baby and leaves the system quicker.

As Meptid is an opiod, same as Pethidine, it would have a similar effect on a baby.

It is a much more expensive drug, which makes me think that this is why is not used as commonly as Pethidine, and also Narcan can be used on a baby to reverse the effects of Pethidine, not sure that it can be used to reverse the effects of Meptid.

One central London hospital I worked at did not use either of these drugs, the only pain relief options to a labouring woman were entonox (gas and air) or an epidural.

Info here for those interested

http://www.radmid.demon.co.uk/meptid.htm

My wife as a Pharmacist has never dispensed any over here and doesnt think it is used.

Is this for you? Is it your first child?

I wouldnt worry about it if it were me. From my experience, whether you like it or not the baby is coming out and all the best laid plans don't eventuate on the day. Requiring a particular drug can increase the stress. Our bodies are made for it and if they are not then epidural/caesar will be the alternative.

I was determined not to have pethidene or other - signed up for a natural birth. had one baby emergency at 34 weeks with gas and air, one baby where I screamed and bloody screamed for a bloody epidural but the dr took too long and then the baby was here before he came (not a nice time at all) and then one baby with gas and air and a dr telling me I needed a caesar which I refused to have because by then I knew what I was doing.

Just take it as it comes, it will work out ok. I remember thinking - they should write the bloody breathing classes when they are in this much pain - bloody liars.


Its all ok you know - you will be fine. Actually they gave me quite a bit of tomazipam the night before my first child which was quite strange. It was good though as I was nice and rested when it came to d day. probably not such a good idea for a normal circumstance!

Vivienne

i am a qualified midwife and nurse. meptid is a newer drug than pethidine hence it is more expensive - also there is less research based findings about it as less studies have been done. however I am very surprised your midwife has not even heard of it!!

Initial reseach showed it to cause less sleepiness in babies but newer research ie with bigger numbers of babies in the clinical trials - have not bourne this out. overall it appears to cause more vomiting than pethidine (most commonly given) and diamorphine but is also possibly less effective as a pain killer. affect on the baby is probably comparable.

Thanks - this makes sense - I had DS1 3yrs ago, so my knowledge was based on info back then; it would seem now the research has changed the info.

I'm not that bothered really - DS1 came out no problem and afterwards I went home to cook dinner and watch Corrie and wondered what all the fuss is about..... so I'm not expecting any particular problems when DS2 is ready to exit (though I know every baby is different). I only had the one shot of Meptid because I'd put my back out previously and I couldn't get comfy!

Just thought I'd ask if they have it here, but merleoberon and the other posters have answered that one - no!

Btw - do you live in Oberon?