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pitocin (oxytocin, Syntocinon)
Pharmacology: Tradenames: Pitocin, Syntocinon.
Indications:
1) induction of labor at term
2) control of post-partum bleeding
Contraindications: Safety in lactation: ?
Dosage:
1) induction of labor
- 10 units in 1 liter of normal saline (10 mU/mL)
- start at 6-12 mL/hr (1-2 mU/min) [1]
2) post-partum bleeding
- 20-40 mU/min IV [2]
- 3-10 U/min IM [2]
Injection: 10 units/mL (1 mL, 10 mL).
Pharmacokinetics:
- elimination: liver, kidney
Adverse effects:
1) fetal
- uncommon (< 1%)
- bradycardia, arrhythmias, brain damage, hypoxia, intracranial hemorrhage, neonatal jaundice, death
2) 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
Related
oxytocin receptor; OT-R (OXTR)
oxytocin-neurophysin 1; OT-NPI; contains: oxytocin; neurophysin 1 (OXT, OT)
General
oxytocin (isoleucyl/leucyl vasopressin)
oxytocic hormone (oxytocic agent)
References
- The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed.
Gilman et al, eds. Permagon Press/McGraw Hill, 1996
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Regional Drug
Formulary, 1998