Comparing Intravenous Carbetocin and Intravenous Oxytocin for Third-stage Labor Management: A Narrative Review
Nidhi Shah, Anuja Bhalerao
Keywords :
Carbetocin, Obstetric care, Oxytocin, Postpartum hemorrhage, Vaginal delivery
Citation Information :
Shah N, Bhalerao A. Comparing Intravenous Carbetocin and Intravenous Oxytocin for Third-stage Labor Management: A Narrative Review. J South Asian Feder Obs Gynae 2024; 16 (4):428-432.
This narrative review assesses the effectiveness of two intravenous medications, intravenous carbetocin and intravenous oxytocin, in treating the third stage of labor during normal deliveries with a focus on preventing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Intravenous carbetocin, a synthetic analog of oxytocin with an extended duration of action, has emerged as a potential alternative to the well-established intravenous oxytocin, which is commonly used but may require repeated administrations.
A systematic approach was employed for this review, involving literature search, establishment of eligible articles, data extraction, quality assessment, and data synthesis. Studies directly comparing carbetocin and oxytocin were included, and their findings, strengths, and limitations were evaluated.
In conclusion, the comparative analysis of these medications offers valuable insights into PPH prevention. Carbetocin exhibits promise in reducing PPH incidence and the need for additional uterotonic agents, potentially improving patient care. However, treatment decisions should be tailored to the specific clinical context and patient population. Further research is necessary to establish carbetocin's definitive superiority over oxytocin in various clinical settings. Both drugs play essential roles in preventing and managing PPH, thereby enhancing maternal outcomes and mitigating the burden of this critical postpartum complication.
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