Patient-controlled analgesia with nalbuphine during labor.

The effectiveness and safety of nalbuphine administered via the patient-controlled analgesia system were investigated in 82 parturients during labor. Comparison of nalbuphine via the patient-controlled system versus 66 control patients receiving the same drug via intermittent intravenous bolus injections revealed it to be safe and effective in both cases. Patients receiving nalbuphine by the pump had less drowsiness and were more satisfied with their analgesia than those in the control group. There were no differences in the frequency of fetal distress or in Apgar scores.