oxytocin at a glance
Medicine class
Oxytocic hormone that stimulates womb contractions
Main uses
Labour induction or stimulation, and prevention or treatment of bleeding caused by poor womb contraction after birth
Administration
Given into a vein by trained hospital staff
Monitoring during labour
Contractions and the baby's heartbeat are monitored closely
What is oxytocin used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for obstetric use under specialist supervision.
Inducing labour when there is a medical reason.
Strengthening labour when womb contractions are inadequate.
Adjunctive management of incomplete, inevitable or missed miscarriage in early pregnancy.
Use after delivery during caesarean section.
Preventing or treating poor womb contraction and associated heavy bleeding after birth.
How does oxytocin work?
Oxytocin activates receptors on womb muscle cells, increasing calcium within the cells and producing rhythmic contractions. The womb becomes more responsive near the end of pregnancy, during labour and immediately after birth.
oxytocin preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 5 units/mL, 10 units/mL
How to take oxytocin
Oxytocin is not taken by mouth or self-administered. It is given as a controlled intravenous infusion by trained staff in hospital.
During labour, staff adjust the infusion according to contractions and clinical response.
The contractions and the baby's heartbeat are monitored.
The infusion can be reduced or stopped if contractions become excessive or the baby shows signs of distress.
oxytocin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fast or slow heartbeat
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty, low blood pressure or swelling
- Excessive or sustained womb contractions, which may cause fetal distress or rarely uterine rupture
- Abnormal heart rhythm, myocardial ischaemia or marked blood-pressure changes
- Fluid overload or low blood sodium, potentially causing confusion, drowsiness or seizures
- Acute pulmonary oedema
- Serious abnormal bleeding or clotting
oxytocin in pregnancy
Oxytocin is specifically used during pregnancy and childbirth when clinically indicated. Experience with appropriate obstetric use does not suggest a risk of fetal abnormalities, but excessive womb activity can seriously affect the baby, so hospital supervision and fetal monitoring are essential during labour.
oxytocin while breastfeeding
Small amounts may enter breast milk, but oxytocin is rapidly broken down in the baby's digestive tract and harmful effects are not expected. Breastfeeding can usually continue after treatment for heavy bleeding following birth.
oxytocin interactions
The maternity and anaesthetic teams should review all medicines before oxytocin is administered.
Prostaglandins and their analogues
They can intensify each other's effects on the womb, so concomitant use is not recommended and product-specific separation is required.
Medicines that prolong the QT interval
The combination may increase susceptibility to serious abnormal heart rhythms, particularly in people with other risk factors.
Inhaled general anaesthetics
Some can reduce oxytocin's effect on womb tone and may increase the risk of heart-rhythm disturbances.
Common questions about oxytocin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is oxytocin the same as the hormone made naturally by the body?
The active substance is a synthetic form that is chemically identical to natural oxytocin, a hormone released during labour and breastfeeding.
Why is oxytocin given during labour?
It may be used to start labour for a medical reason or to make inadequate contractions stronger and more regular.
Why is the baby's heartbeat monitored during an oxytocin infusion?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.