pitocin (oxytocin, Syntocinon)

Pharmacology

Tradenames: Pitocin, Syntocinon

Indications

• induction of labor at term
• control of post-partum bleeding

Contraindications

Safety in lactation: ?

Dosage

• induction of labor
  • 10 units in 1 liter of normal saline (10 mU/mL)
  • start at 6-12 mL/hr (1-2 mU/min)
• post-partum bleeding
  • 20-40 mU/min IV
  • 3-10 U/min IM

Injection: 10 units/mL (1 mL, 10 mL).

Pharmacokinetics

• elimination: liver, kidney

Adverse effects

• fetal
  • uncommon (< 1%)
    • bradycardia, arrhythmias, brain damage, hypoxia, intracranial hemorrhage, neonatal jaundice, death
• maternal
  • uncommon (< 1%)
    • cardiac arrhythmias, premature ventricular contractions, hypotension, tachycardia, arrhythmias, seizures, coma, death, increased uterine motility, nausea/vomiting, postpartum hemorrhage, fatal afibrinogenemia, excessive blood loss, pelvic hematoma, anaphylactic reaction

More general terms

• oxytocin (isoleucyl/leucyl vasopressin)
• oxytocic hormone (oxytocic agent)

Additional terms

• oxytocin receptor; OT-R (OXTR)
• oxytocin-neurophysin 1; OT-NPI; contains: oxytocin; neurophysin 1 (OXT, OT)