Comparison of pentazocine and pethidine in labour.

A double-blind between-patient study was carried out comparing pentazocine with pethidine in 94 women in labour. Similar analgesic and sedative effects were obtained with the two drugs, and Apgar scores were similar for babies of both drug groups. Fewer emetic sequelae were reported after pentazocine injections, though there was no statistically significant difference between the two drug groups in incidence of other side-effects.