A Comparison of the Inhibitory Effects of Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine on Isolated Human Pregnant Myometrium Contractility

Both bupivacaine and levobupivacaine significantly decreased contraction amplitude at a concentration of 1x10^-4 M.

• Bupivacaine and levobupivacaine reduced the strength of contractions in human myometrium as the drug concentration increased.
• The frequency of contractions increased with both drugs, becoming significant at a concentration of 3x10^-5 M.
• The concentrations required for these effects on contraction amplitude are much higher than the plasma levels typically achieved with epidural analgesia.
• These findings suggest that the impact of these local anesthetics on myometrial function may not be clinically relevant in low-dose epidural pain relief during labor.

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