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What is Oxytocin?
Commonly Used Brand Name(s)Pitocin
Pharmacologic ClassificationsPituitary Hormone, Posterior
QUICK LINKS
- Blackbox Warning
- Overview
- Proper Use
- Before Using
- Allergies
- Pediatric
- Geriatric
- Pregnancy
- Breast Feeding
- Drug Interactions
- Other Interactions
- Other Medical Problems
- Precautions
Blackbox WarningTOP
Elective induction of labor is defined as the initiation of labor in a pregnant individual who has no medical indications for induction. Since the available data are inadequate to evaluate the benefits-to-risks considerations, oxytocin is not indicated for elective induction of labor .
Intramuscular route (Solution)Elective induction of labor is defined as the initiation of labor in a pregnant individual who has no medical indications for induction. Since the available data are inadequate to evaluate the benefits-to-risks considerations, oxytocin is not indicated for elective induction of labor .
OverviewTOP
Oxytocin is a hormone used to help start or continue labor and to control bleeding after delivery. It is also sometimes used to help milk secretion in breast-feeding.
Oxytocin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
In general, oxytocin should not be used to start labor unless there are specific medical reasons. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals removed Syntocinon® nasal spray from the market in March 1995.
Proper UseTOP
A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins or as a shot into one of your muscles.
Before UsingTOP
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
AllergiesTOP
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
PediatricTOP
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of oxytocin in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
GeriatricTOP
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of oxytocin in geriatric patients.
PregnancyTOP
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast FeedingTOP
Studies suggest that this medication may alter milk production or composition. If an alternative to this medication is not prescribed, you should monitor the infant for side effects and adequate milk intake.
Drug InteractionsTOP
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Ephedrine
Other InteractionsTOP
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical ProblemsTOP
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Bleeding problems (e.g., subarachnoid hemorrhage) or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)—May make these conditions worse.
- Cephalopelvic disproportion or
- Cervical cancer or
- Fetal distress or
- Grand multiparity (giving birth more than five times) or
- Major surgery on the cervix or uterus (e.g., caesarean delivery), history of or
- Overdistended uterus or
- Premature fetus or
- Problems with uterine contraction (e.g., uterine atony, strong uterine contractions) or
- Toxemia, severe or
- Unfavorable fetal position (e.g., transverse lies) or
- Other conditions that may require caesarean delivery (e.g., cord prolapse, total placenta previa, vasa previa, or during an emergency)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Kidney disease—Use with caution. Effects may be increased because of slower removal of this medicine from the body.
PrecautionsTOP
Oxytocin can be very useful for helping labor. However, there are certain risks with using it. Oxytocin causes contractions of the uterus. In women who are unusually sensitive to its effects, these contractions may become too strong. In rare cases, this may lead to tearing of the uterus. Also, if contractions are too strong, the supply of blood and oxygen to the fetus may be decreased.
Oxytocin may cause jaundice and eye problems such as retinal hemorrhage in some newborn infants. If you have concerns about this, ask your doctor.
This medicine may cause a serious condition called water intoxication. Tell your doctor right away if you start having have confusion, drowsiness, headache, or seizures while you are receiving this medicine.
