oxytocin

Generic Name: oxytocin

• What is oxytocin?
• What are the possible side effects of oxytocin?
• What is the most important information I should know about oxytocin?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving oxytocin?
• How is oxytocin given?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while receiving oxytocin?
• What other drugs will affect oxytocin?
• Where can I get more information?

Oxytocin is a hormone that is used to induce labor or strengthen uterine contractions, or to control bleeding after childbirth.

Oxytocin is also used to stimulate uterine contractions in a woman with an incomplete or threatened miscarriage.

Oxytocin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have:

• a fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;
• excessive bleeding long after childbirth;
• severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears; or
• confusion, severe weakness, feeling unsteady.

Oxytocin may cause serious or life-threatening side effects in the newborn baby, including:

• slow heartbeats or other abnormal heart rate;
• jaundice (a yellow appearance of the baby's skin);
• a seizure;
• eye problems; or
• problems with breathing, muscle tone, and other signs of health.

Talk with your doctor about the risks of using oxytocin. In most cases, the benefits of inducing labor with oxytocin will outweigh the risks to the baby.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting; or
• more intense or more frequent contractions (this is an expected effect of oxytocin).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before you receive oxytocin, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies, and all the medicines you are using.

You should not be treated with oxytocin if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a severe infection in your uterus;
• a difficult labor because you have a small pelvis;
• genital herpes;
• cervical cancer;
• surgery on your cervix or uterus (including a prior C-section);
• high blood pressure; or
• heart problems.

Also tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Oxytocin is injected into a muscle, or given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Your contractions and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving oxytocin. This will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with this medicine.

During labor, your baby's heart rate will also be watched with a fetal heart monitor to evaluate any effects of oxytocin on the baby.

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Since oxytocin is used when needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

Since oxytocin is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, you will be constantly monitored to make sure you are receiving the correct dose.

Follow your caregivers' instructions about drinking or restricting fluids. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be unsafe while you are receiving oxytocin.

Other drugs may affect oxytocin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about oxytocin.

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