Pitocin
Generic Name:
Oxytocin
Brand Names:
Pitocin, Syntocinon
Pitocin Description:
Pitocin is the synthetic form of oxytocin, a hormone found naturally in the body that plays a role in female reproduction. Pitocin can be given intravenously in a hospital setting when it is medically necessary (for the mother, the fetus, or both) to induce labor in a pregnant woman. Pitocin causes contractions in the uterus to help start or speed up the labor and delivery process during childbirth. Pitocin is also available as an intramuscular injection to control bleeding after delivery, called postpartum hemorrhaging.
Pitocin was previously available as a nasal spray, called Syntocinon, but that form has since been removed from the market.
Pitocin Side Effects:
In rare cases, Pitocin may cause uterine contractions to become too strong or too frequent, leading to a tearing of the uterus, cervical and vaginal lacerations, or severe postpartum bleeding.
Pitocin may also impair the flow of blood or oxygen to the fetus. Serious effects of Pitocin on the fetus include:
- Slow or irregular heartbeat
- Permanent central nervous system damage
If large doses of Pitocin are given for prolonged periods of time, a dangerous condition called water intoxication may occur, with the potential to cause:
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Seizures
- Coma
- Maternal death
For more information, see our Pitocin side effects page.
Pitocin Uses:
Pitocin can be used during childbirth to induce (start) or augment (speed up) labor during the second and third stages of pregnancy. Pitocin is a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin that stimulates the uterus and increases the strength and duration of uterine contractions.
Labor may need to be induced during childbirth for many reasons, including:
- A concern for the mother or the baby’s health
- At least 10 days have passed since the due date
- Baby has stopped growing
- Lack of amniotic fluid around the baby
- Mother has high-risk medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and others
- Placenta is deteriorating
- Water has broken, but there are no contractions
Pitocin can also be used to control bleeding after delivery (postpartum hemorrhage), or to induce an abortion during the first or second trimester of pregnancy.
Pitocin Interactions:
Severe hypertension may occur if Pitocin is given three to four hours after administration of caudal anesthesia, a type of epidural.
Pitocin may interact with cyclopropane anesthesia.
Pitocin Dosage Information:
Pitocin is administered by a nurse or other trained health professional. Typically it is given as a controlled intravenous drip into the veins over a period of a few hours during childbirth, or as an intramuscular injection if used after delivery of the placenta.
Pitocin Overdose:
Pitocin overdoses can occur if too much of the medication is delivered too quickly, or if the uterus is found to be hypersensitive to the medication.
Overdose of Pitocin or hypersensitivity reaction could result in the rupture of the uterus or in a condition called water intoxication. Signs of overdose or hypersensitivity include:
- Convulsions
- Restlessness
- Shakiness
- Sleepiness
- Slow responses
- Slurred speech
- Unconsciousness
Pitocin FDA Approval:
November 19, 1980
Pitocin Recall/Black Box Warning Information:
There is a Black Box warning on Pitocin stating that the medication should not be used in cases where induction of labor is not medically necessary. In other words, Pitocin should not be used in the elective induction of labor, when there is no medical need to begin labor in a pregnant woman.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals removed Syntocinon nasal spray from the market in March 1995.
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