PETHIDINE COMPARED WITH PETHIDINE PLUS LEVALLORPHAN AND WITH A PLACEBO

The analgesic properties of intravenous pethidine and pethidineplus levallorphan were compared in a group of seventy-two fitobstetric patients. The assessment was made by graded pressureon the tibia. A double blind four-point assay plus placebo techniquewas used. The trial failed to distinguish between the analgesiceffect of the narcotic and the placebo. It is concluded thatthis method of assessment is inapplicable to the pregnant patient.The commonest side dect noted was dizziness but the incidenceof side effects was related more to increased dosage of drugsrather than Werences between pethidine and pethidine plus levallorphan. Present address: Anaesthesia Research, Providence Hospital,Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.