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Oxytocin (Pitocin, Syntocinon)

Category:

  • Hormone

Description:

  • Pituitary hormone

Indications:

  • Induction of labor

  • Augmentation of labor

  • Control of postpartum uterine bleeding

  • Treatment of incomplete of inevitable abortion  

Contraindications:

  • Significant, known, cephalopelvic disproportion

  • Unfavorable fetal position or presentation which are undeliverable without conversion prior to delivery

  • Cases where vaginal delivery is contraindicated (invasive cervical carcinoma, active genital herpes, total placenta previa or vasa previa)

  • Obstetrical emergencies where the risk-to-benefit ratio of maternal and fetal safety favors surgical intervention

  • Cases of fetal distress where delivery is not imminent

  • Prolonged use in uterine inertia or severe toxemia

  • Hypertonic or hyperactive uterine patterns

Precautions:

  • Stimulates uterine contractions similar to normal labor.

  • Overstimulation may harm mother and fetus.

  • Oxytocin has an intrinsic antidiuretic effect and may lead to water intoxication when administered in large or prolonged doses.

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • Maternal:

    • anaphylactic reaction

    • cardiac arrythmia, PVCs

    • nausea, vomiting

    • water intoxication

    • uterine rupture

  • Fetal

    • bradycardia, PVCs, and other arrythmias

    • in the presence of significant, prolonged overstimulation of uterine contractions, may cause permanent brain damage and death

Dosage:

  • Administered by injection

  • Induction of labor: 

    • 0.001-0.002 units (1-2 mU) per minute, increase dose by 0.001-0.002 units (1-2 mU) every 15-30 minutes until contraction pattern has been established (generally no more than 0.02 units (20 mU) per minute

  • Control of postpartum uterine bleeding: 

    • 10-40 units run in 1000mL of IV fluids (blood, plasma or crystalloid) at a rate to control uterine atony or 10 units IM following placental delivery

  • Treatment of incomplete of inevitable abortion: 

    • 10 units in 1000ml IV fluid run at 0.01-0.02 units (10-20mU) [20-40 drops] per minute

 

 

 


The information contained here is an abbreviated summary. For more detailed and complete information, consult the manufacturer's product information sheets or standard textbooks

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

This information is provided by The Brookside Associates.  The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.

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