Details

Oxytocin is a natural hormone that causes the uterus to contract. Oxytocin is used to induce labour or strengthen labour contractions during childbirth, and to control bleeding after childbirth. Oxytocin is also used to stimulate uterine contractions in a woman with an incomplete or threatened miscarriage. To make sure oxytocin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have genital herpes diabetes high blood pressure a heart rhythm disorder a history of cervical cancer a history of severe infection in your uterus a history of difficult labour because you have a small pelvis if you have ever had surgery on your cervix or uterus (including a prior C-section) if your pregnancy is less than 37 weeks or if you have had 5 or more pregnancies.

Typical Uses

Oxytocin is a protein produced by the pituitary gland of mammals including man. Pitocin is a man-made version of oxytocin used for stimulating contraction of the uterus. Oxytocin works by increasing the concentration of calcium inside muscle cells that control contraction of the uterus. Increased calcium increases contraction of the uterus. Oxytocin is used for inducing labour, controlling bleeding after child birth, and treatment of incomplete or inevitable abortion.

Side Effects

Common oxytocin side effects may include fast, slow, or uneven heart rate excessive bleeding long after childbirth low levels of sodium in the body-headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady or dangerously high blood pressure-severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats.

Drug Interactions

• Oxytocin+dinoprostone topical- Using oxytocin together with dinoprostone topical can increase your response to oxytocin and increase your risk of additional uterine problems or lead to uterine rupture. If your doctor prescribes these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take both medications.

Mechanism of action

Oxytocin binds the oxytocin receptor which leads to an increase in intracellular calcium levels. The oxytocin-oxytocin receptor system plays an important role as an inducer of uterine contractions during parturition and of milk ejection.

Pregnancy Category : X