Carbetocin Versus Syntometrine for the Third Stage of Labour
Carbetocin Versus Syntometrine for the Third Stage of Labour
Intramuscular carbetocin is as effective as intramuscular syntometrine for the prevention of
 postpartum haemorrhage
Postpartum haemorrhage(PPH)or excessive bleeding at or after childbirth is a potentially life
 threatening complication and is one of the major contributors to maternal mortality and
 morbidity worldwide (Lewis 2001).Among the various agents that have been studied in addition
 to the routine oxytocin and syntometrine (which has adverse effects),oxytocin agonist
 (carbetocin) appears to be the most promising for this indication(Chong 2004).

 Carbetocin is a licensed medication for the use of prevention of postpartum haemorrhage in
 Singapore and many other countries. It is a long-acting synthetic octapeptide analogue of
 oxytocin with agonist properties.The clinical and pharmacological properties of carbetocin
 are similar to those of naturally occurring oxytocin. Like oxytocin, carbetocin binds to
 oxytocin receptors present on the smooth musculature of the uterus, resulting in rhythmic
 contractions of the uterus, increased frequency of existing contractions, and increased
 uterine tone. In pharmacokinetic studies, intravenous injections of carbetocin produced
 tetanic uterine contractions within two minutes, lasting six minutes, followed by rhythmic
 contractions for a further hour.Intramuscular injection produced tetanic contractions in less
 than two minutes, lasting about 11 minutes, and followed by rhythmic contractions for an
 additional two hours. The prolonged duration of activity after intramuscular compared with
 the intravenous carbetocin was significant(Hunter 1992). In comparison to oxytocin,
 carbetocin induces a prolonged uterine response when administered postpartum, in terms of
 both amplitude and frequency of contractions.

 The potential advantage of intramuscular carbetocin over intramuscular oxytocin is its longer
 duration of action. Its relative lack of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side-effects
 should also prove advantageous compared to syntometrine and other ergot alkaloids.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Any pregnant woman expected to deliver vaginally

 2. Age more than 21 if not married

 3. Ability to provide informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Multiple pregnancy

 2. Patients with other risk factors for postpartum haemorrhage

 3. Patients planning to have an elective caesarean section

 4. History of vascular disease such as coronary artery disease

 5. History of hypertension requiring treatment within the last 2 years

 6. History of hepatic or renal disease

 7. Known or suspected coagulopathy

 8. History of hypersensitivity to oxytocin or carbetocin

 9. Any condition where the use of syntometrine/carbetocin is contraindicated