Pharmacokinetics and clinical effect during continuous epidural infusion with ropivacaine 2.5 mg/ml or bupivacaine 2.5 mg/ml for labour pain relief

Abstract

A continuous epidural infusion of 25 mg/h ropivacaine or bupivacaine both produced good labour pain relief. Higher total and free plasma concentrations were seen for ropivacaine. The ratios between maternal and umbilical plasma levels were similar for both drugs.