J Med Assoc Thai 2009; 92 (6):782

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Epidural Nalbuphine for Post Cesarean Epidural Morphine Induced Pruritus
Pongraweewan O Mail, Santawata U , Weerasarn L , Manuwong S , Swasti O

Objective: The aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of epidural nalbuphine 5 mg for prevention of
morphine-induced pruritus.

Material and Method: Parturients, ASA I-II scheduled for elective cesarean section under epidural anesthesia
were randomized into 3 groups: the placebo group, N-5 group, and N-10 group received 4 ml epidural
solution containing morphine 4 mg plus either saline, nalbuphine 5 mg, and nalbuphine 10 mg respectively.
Pain score at rest and on movement, incidence and severity of pruritus, sedation score, and pethidine
consumption were recorded for 24 hours.

Results: The 182 parturients were randomized into 60 in the placebo group, 61 in the N-5 group, and 61 in the
N-10 group. The severity of pruritus was significantly lower at 3, 6, 9 and 12 h postpartum in the N-5 group
and the N-10 group had a lower degree of pruritus at 3 and 6 h postpartum compared to placebo. The VAS pain
scores at rest and on movement were significantly higher in the N-10 group at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 h postpartum
compared to the placebo and significantly higher at 3 h, 6 h postpartum compared to the N-5 group (p < 0.05).
Patient’s satisfactions were high in all groups without any significant difference between groups.

Conclusion:
Epidural nalbuphine 5 mg reduced severity of morphine induced pruritus for 12 h with statistically
significant different advantages over epidural nalbuphine 10 mg without anti-analgesic effect. However, the
difference is too small to convey into clinical significant advantage.

Keywords: Adverse effects, Analgesia, Epidural, Cesarean section, Morphine, Nalbuphine, Pruritus

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