Viagra during labour doesn't help babies at risk from lack of oxygen

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-06-10 01:00

Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD

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Lack of oxygen during labour can be fatal for babies, and Australian research has found that the drug, sildenafil citrate, sold under the brand name Viagra, does not lower the rate of poor outcomes, and should not be given to mothers in labour for this purpose. A previous smaller trial by the same researchers had suggested the drug, which expands blood vessels, might help in cases of fetal distress, but this study of over 3000 women found there was no reduction in adverse outcomes with the drug.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of Queensland, Mater Research, The University of Sydney, Monash University, Western Sydney University, University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Funder: This study was funded by the Australian NHMRC Medical Research Future Fund (grant APP1199329). The legal sponsor of the trial was the University of Sydney.

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