Oxytocin

Uterine Contraction, Negative Reinforcement, Abortion, Spontaneous + 7 more

Treatment

4 FDA approvals

4 Active Studies for Oxytocin

What is Oxytocin

Oxytocin

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Oxytocin is a hormone first discovered in 1906 that helps with the contraction of the uterus. In the 1950s, it was successfully made synthetically, which earned a Nobel Prize for the biochemist who created it. It is frequently used in obstetrics to help with labor and post-birth bleeding, and is used in around 10% of births globally. It should be used cautiously, though, since there can be risks associated with its use in childbirth. Oxytocin also has other roles in pair-bonding, social functioning, fear conditioning, metabolic balance and heart health.

Oxytocin

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Oxytocin Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Oxytocin

Oxytocin

1980

23

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Oxytocin, also known as Oxytocin, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses such as Postpartum Bleeding and Uterine Contraction .

Postpartum Bleeding

Helps manage Postpartum Bleeding

Uterine Contraction

Hemorrhage

Helps manage Postpartum Bleeding

Uterine Contractions

Effectiveness

How Oxytocin Affects Patients

Oxytocin is a hormone that has many different effects on the body. It is most commonly associated with childbirth and breastfeeding, but it also influences metabolism, cardiac health, sexual behavior, social behavior, and fear responses. Oxytocin receptors are found not only in the reproductive system, but in many other tissues, including the brain stem and amygdala.

How Oxytocin works in the body

Oxytocin is a hormone released during childbirth that helps induce labor. It is produced in the brain and sent to the uterus, where it stimulates the uterine muscles to contract. As the baby's head pushes against the cervix, more oxytocin is released and the contractions increase as a result. Synthetic oxytocin can be used to help induce labor or increase the effectiveness of uterine contractions.

When to interrupt dosage

The recommended measure of Oxytocin is contingent upon the recognized disorder, including Incomplete Abortion, Induction of Labour and Inevitable abortion. The quantity of dosage differs as per the administration technique (e.g. Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous or Injection, solution) expressed in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Uterine Contraction

10.0 [USP'U]/mL, , 10.0 [iU]/mL, 0.01 [USP'U]/mL, 0.02 [USP'U]/mL, 0.3 [USP'U]/mL, 0.2 [USP'U]/mL, 0.03 [USP'U]/mL, 0.1 [USP'U]/mL, 10.0 units/mL

, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravascular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Liquid, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravascular

Negative Reinforcement

10.0 [USP'U]/mL, , 10.0 [iU]/mL, 0.01 [USP'U]/mL, 0.02 [USP'U]/mL, 0.3 [USP'U]/mL, 0.2 [USP'U]/mL, 0.03 [USP'U]/mL, 0.1 [USP'U]/mL, 10.0 units/mL

, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravascular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Liquid, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravascular

Abortion, Spontaneous

10.0 [USP'U]/mL, , 10.0 [iU]/mL, 0.01 [USP'U]/mL, 0.02 [USP'U]/mL, 0.3 [USP'U]/mL, 0.2 [USP'U]/mL, 0.03 [USP'U]/mL, 0.1 [USP'U]/mL, 10.0 units/mL

, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravascular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Liquid, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravascular

reinforcement of labor

10.0 [USP'U]/mL, , 10.0 [iU]/mL, 0.01 [USP'U]/mL, 0.02 [USP'U]/mL, 0.3 [USP'U]/mL, 0.2 [USP'U]/mL, 0.03 [USP'U]/mL, 0.1 [USP'U]/mL, 10.0 units/mL

, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravascular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Liquid, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravascular

Induction of Labour

10.0 [USP'U]/mL, , 10.0 [iU]/mL, 0.01 [USP'U]/mL, 0.02 [USP'U]/mL, 0.3 [USP'U]/mL, 0.2 [USP'U]/mL, 0.03 [USP'U]/mL, 0.1 [USP'U]/mL, 10.0 units/mL

, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravascular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Liquid, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravascular

Abortion, Incomplete

10.0 [USP'U]/mL, , 10.0 [iU]/mL, 0.01 [USP'U]/mL, 0.02 [USP'U]/mL, 0.3 [USP'U]/mL, 0.2 [USP'U]/mL, 0.03 [USP'U]/mL, 0.1 [USP'U]/mL, 10.0 units/mL

, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravascular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Liquid, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravascular

Third Stage of Labour

10.0 [USP'U]/mL, , 10.0 [iU]/mL, 0.01 [USP'U]/mL, 0.02 [USP'U]/mL, 0.3 [USP'U]/mL, 0.2 [USP'U]/mL, 0.03 [USP'U]/mL, 0.1 [USP'U]/mL, 10.0 units/mL

, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravascular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Liquid, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravascular

Hemorrhage

10.0 [USP'U]/mL, , 10.0 [iU]/mL, 0.01 [USP'U]/mL, 0.02 [USP'U]/mL, 0.3 [USP'U]/mL, 0.2 [USP'U]/mL, 0.03 [USP'U]/mL, 0.1 [USP'U]/mL, 10.0 units/mL

, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravascular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Liquid, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravascular

Labour

10.0 [USP'U]/mL, , 10.0 [iU]/mL, 0.01 [USP'U]/mL, 0.02 [USP'U]/mL, 0.3 [USP'U]/mL, 0.2 [USP'U]/mL, 0.03 [USP'U]/mL, 0.1 [USP'U]/mL, 10.0 units/mL

, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravascular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Liquid, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravascular

Uterine Contractions

10.0 [USP'U]/mL, , 10.0 [iU]/mL, 0.01 [USP'U]/mL, 0.02 [USP'U]/mL, 0.3 [USP'U]/mL, 0.2 [USP'U]/mL, 0.03 [USP'U]/mL, 0.1 [USP'U]/mL, 10.0 units/mL

, Injection, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, solution, Injection, solution - Intravenous, Intravenous, Solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Solution, Liquid - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection - Intravenous, Intramuscular; Intravascular, Injection, solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous, Liquid, Injection - Intramuscular; Intravascular

Warnings

Oxytocin has nine contraindications, so it should not be utilized in the presence of the conditions detailed in the following table.

Oxytocin Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Cephalopelvic Disproportion

Do Not Combine

unfavorable fetal presentations

Do Not Combine

Obstetrical Emergency Situations

Do Not Combine

Breech Presentation

Do Not Combine

unsatisfactory progress from adequate uterine activity

Do Not Combine

Obstetric Delivery

Do Not Combine

hyperactive or hypertonic uterus

Do Not Combine

Vaginal Delivery Contraindicated

Do Not Combine

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Oxytocin may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Oxytocin.

Common Oxytocin Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Hydroxyzine

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Oxytocin is combined with Hydroxyzine.

Mobocertinib

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Oxytocin is combined with Mobocertinib.

Ziprasidone

Major

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Oxytocin is combined with Ziprasidone.

Abexinostat

Minor

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Oxytocin is combined with Abexinostat.

Aceprometazine

Minor

The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Oxytocin is combined with Aceprometazine.

Oxytocin Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Taking too much oxytocin can cause a lack of blood to the heart, rapid heartbeat, and irregular heartbeat. It can also cause strong contractions of the uterus, which can be dangerous. Taking large doses of oxytocin daily can lead to water intoxication which may result in seizures, coma, or death. If fluids are taken orally the risk is even greater.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Oxytocin Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Oxytocin?

At present, 3 active trials are evaluating the potential of Oxytocin to provide Negative Reinforcement, induce labor and treat Inevitable abortions.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Abortion, Incomplete

0 Actively Recruiting

Uterine Contractions

1 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable

Uterine Contraction

1 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable

Negative Reinforcement

0 Actively Recruiting

Third Stage of Labour

0 Actively Recruiting

reinforcement of labor

0 Actively Recruiting

Hemorrhage

0 Actively Recruiting

Induction of Labour

0 Actively Recruiting

Labour

2 Actively Recruiting

Phase 4, Phase 3

Abortion, Spontaneous

0 Actively Recruiting

Patient Q&A Section about oxytocin

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Does oxytocin increase love?

"The "love hormone" oxytocin is responsible for some of the positive emotions associated with attraction and sexual desire."

Answered by AI

What does an oxytocin do?

"Oxytocin has two main physical functions: stimulating uterine contractions during labor and childbirth, and stimulating contractions of breast tissue to aid in lactation after childbirth."

Answered by AI

What stimulates oxytocin?

"The physical affection shown between adults can cause oxytocin to be released, which can in turn make the bond between them stronger. Oxytocin is known as one of the happy hormones because it has such a positive effect on emotions and mood, so it's no wonder that it's often thought of in a positive light."

Answered by AI

What does oxytocin do in love?

"When you hug or kiss a loved one, your pituitary gland releases oxytocin, which is especially important for pair bonding, like in romantic relationships, as it elevates your mood and makes you feel more "attached" to your romantic partner."

Answered by AI

What are 4 roles of oxytocin?

"In the brain, oxytocin works as a chemical messenger and plays an important role in many human behaviors, such as sexual arousal, recognition, trust, and romantic attachment. It also plays a role in mother-infant bonding."

Answered by AI

Why is oxytocin called the love drug?

"Oxytocin is sometimes called the "love hormone" or the "cuddle hormone" because it is released when people fall in love or hug. Oxytocin is also released during sexual activity and childbirth."

Answered by AI

What triggers oxytocin release?

"Oxytocin is released by the body in response to various stimuli, such as during labor, breastfeeding, sexual activity, or even just simple things like touching or being touched."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Oxytocin

Image of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SInai in New York, United States.

Ephedrine for Childbirth

18 - 55
Female
New York, NY

Labor analgesia is an important component of the care of laboring patients. A known side effect of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia (a type of labor analgesia) is an increased incidence of category II fetal heart rate tracing (defined below) and low blood pressure. The study team aims to study if a prophylactic dose of ephedrine will decrease the occurrence of this type of tracing after combined spinal epidural (CSE) anesthesia placement. Ephedrine is not currently routinely used as prevention for category II tracings or low blood pressure. The use of Ephedrine in this study is investigational (this is the first time that the drug has been studied for its effect on these conditions). Fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings are classified into three categories. In clinical practice, FHR tracing categories are used as a guide to obstetric management and suggest the following approach: * Category I tracing is "reactive" and reassuring → may continue labor * Category II tracing is neither category I nor category III. For obvious reasons, category II is the broadest and largest category, consisting of various FHR tracing patterns that do not fit into either category I or category III. * Category III tracing is non-reassuring → expedited vaginal or cesarean delivery recommended. A Category II tracing is not diagnostic. Most pregnancies have at least one Category II tracing. There is not always an identifiable reason for a Category II tracing. Ephedrine is a medication that causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure while also causing some degree of relaxation of the uterus therefore improving uterine blood flow. It has been used in the obstetric population for over 50 years without issues. The dose that the research team will administer, 7.5 mg, is below the dose the research team will often administer to treat hypotension (low blood pressure).

Phase 4
Recruiting

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SInai (+1 Sites)

James Leader