Known brand names include Pitocin.
A hospital injection of the hormone that makes the uterus contract. An IV drip starts or strengthens labor when there is a medical reason to deliver, and IV or IM doses after delivery control bleeding. It is given by pump with continuous monitoring of contractions and the baby's heart rate.
High-alert medication (IV only). IV oxytocin is on the ISMP acute care high-alert list. IM postpartum doses are not named.
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The label does not describe a narrow therapeutic index or direct dosing by measured blood levels. Doses are titrated to the contraction pattern.
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Not indicated for elective induction of labor, meaning induction without a medical indication, because available data do not establish its benefits against its risks for that use.
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No antidote. For hyperstimulation or water intoxication, stop the infusion at once and give symptomatic and supportive care; for uterine hyperactivity or fetal distress, give the mother oxygen and position her on her side. Its effect fades quickly once the infusion stops.
Doses come from the FDA label. Study tool, not for clinical decisions.
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Binds myometrial oxytocin receptors and raises intracellular calcium, driving actomyosin contraction. Receptor density rises sharply in pregnancy and peaks in early labor at term, so response is highly individual. It has intrinsic pressor and antidiuretic effects at large doses because it differs from vasopressin by only two amino acids. Plasma half-life is about 1 to 6 minutes; IV response is almost immediate and fades within 1 hour, while IM response starts in 3 to 5 minutes and lasts 2 to 3 hours.
Sources: [1]