Select Pincode

Don’t have a prescription?

Get Started

Order Medicines Healthcare Products Diagnostic Tests

Offers

Cart

Home Molecules Oxytocin

Oxytocin

Molecule Description

Oxytocin is a hormonal medicine used for inducing labour in full-term pregnant women. It is used in women who have pregnancy-induced diabetes (called gestational diabetes). Oxytocin is also used to abort the fetus in case of incomplete abortion, produce contractions during third stage labour and control excessive bleeding after childbirth.

read less

Uses of Oxytocin

Normal delivery
In caesarean section after the birth of baby
To stop bleeding after childbirth
Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks

Contraindications of Oxytocin

When should one not use Oxytocin

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it
There is obstruction to normal delivery
You have strong uterine contractions
Normal delivery not possible
You are given prostaglandin medicine
Heart disease or severe pre eclampsia
There is no response to this medicine

Side effects of Oxytocin

Common side effects of this drug are:

Swelling of tongue, lips or face
Headache
Uneven heart rate
Tears in womb lining
Retention of fluid in lungs
Decrease oxygen supply to baby

Precautions and Warnings of Oxytocin

Pregnancy

Can I take Oxytocin during pregnancy?

This medicine is not given till estimated date of delivery.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Oxytocin while breastfeeding?

Oxytocin can pass into breast milk in small amounts but adverse effects in breastfed babies do not occur as the baby’s digestive system make it ineffective.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Oxytocin?

As Oxytocin causes uterine contractions, women should avoid driving.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Oxytocin?

It is not advisable to consume alcohol with this medicine. It may cause unwanted effects.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You have a history of caesarean section
You have chest pain
You have heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney disease
Your age is more than 35 years
Duration of your pregnancy is more than 40 weeks

Mode of Action of Oxytocin

How Does It Work?

Oxytocin stimulates the uterine walls of the women, causing uterine contractions by changing the calcium concentrations in the uterine muscle cells. This induces labour and the child is delivered.

Interactions of Oxytocin

Interactions with other medicines

Prostaglandins, medicine use in epidural anaesthesia, cough and cold medicines containing decongestants, medicines containing caffeine or other stimulant medicin and other hormones used for various medical conditions.

read less

Interactions with food items

It is given only at the time of labour in a hospital setup. Hence, interaction with food is minimal. The doctor should be consulted for any food interactions. Fluid intake should be minimum as retention of fluid in the body may occur.

read less

Dietary Restrictions of Oxytocin

No data available.

Dosage of Oxytocin

Overdose

Overdose of this medicine is unlikely, as healthcare professionals give it at the time of labour. Overdose with synthetic Oxytocin injection may cause excessive stimulation with strong (hypertonic) or prolonged contractions. This can further lead to rupture of uterus, cervical and vaginal tears, bleeding after delivery, low blood supply to the fetus, fetal heart failure, low oxygen supply to the fetus or fetal death.

read less

Missed a Dose

Missing a dose is unlikely with this medicine as healthcare professionals give it at the time of labour.

Content Details

WRITTEN BY

Dr. Arpit Verma

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

REVIEWED BY

Dr. Nikita Toshi

BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: In which conditions can doctor advise to do caesarean section?

Some conditions in which doctor will advise to do caesarean section are:
If there is an obstruction for normal delivery to take place
If the baby has a large head
If baby’s position is not normal during delivery

Q: How can the estimated date of delivery (EDD) be calculated?

A: Estimated date of delivery can be calculated by adding 9 months and 7 days to your first day of last menstrual period (LMP).

References

Last Updated on: 05 Oct 2020 | 10:47 PM (IST)

Share This With Your Friends

Recent articles

See All

10 Simple Tips To Get Acidity And Heartburn Under Control

We’re over two weeks into 2021. You’ve probably embraced the motto of “NEW YEAR, NEW ME,” and have already drafted your new year resolution list, because why not? However, for patients who struggle with acid reflux or GERD, the promise of a “NEW YOU” is a bit difficult to attain. Living with ACIDITY and HEARTBURN

Facing Acidity During Winter? Here’s The Solution!

Have you lately felt that your joints ache when the temperature drops? Even though the science behind this relationship isn’t clear, flare-ups, when the weather turns, are quite real for most people with joint pain. This may sound like migrating to a warmer climate is the only remedy. However, here are a few ways to

Make Your 2021 Acidity-Free With These Easy-To-Follow Steps!

The new year is here! Now that we are almost two weeks in, how are those resolutions going? Where is the acid reflux on the list, and what have you done to resolve it? From our personal experience, anecdotal evidence, and published medical research, we know that many times acid reflux is a disease of

New COVID Strains – Here Are Some Countries Where Cases Have Been Found

For almost a year, the world has been struggling with a pandemic the likes of which have seldom been recorded in history. 2020 was a terrible year for almost all of us. But towards the end of the year, it seemed like the battle was about to be won. The coronavirus live update stated that

Bird Flu In India: Should You Worry?

We all started 2021 on a hopeful note. The coronavirus vaccine is about to roll out and there is a high possibility of us resuming our old lives very soon. But then came the news that has plunged us into despair. Another virus is doing the rounds and creating headlines. Bird flu or avian flu

FAQs Regarding COVID Vaccination To Be Aware Of

According to the latest coronavirus news, vaccination in India will kick off from January 16. This is a cause for celebration! The end of the long battle against COVID is near. But at the same time, you might have a few questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination program. It is important to get all your queries

Want To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine? Check The Step-wise Procedure

In a bid to finally get rid of the menace of COVID-19 disease, central and state governments in India are all geared up to begin the cross-nation vaccination drive, probably the most pervasive one in the history of Indian healthcare. With the vaccination drive set to begin on January 13, 2021, people in India are

Will A Coronavirus Vaccine Be Effective Against The New Mutated B117 Virus?

Will The B117 Virus Trigger Another Lockdown In India?

Just when we thought that the COVID-19 pandemic was receding, we received some gloomy news. There’s a new COVID strain doing the rounds. Our coronavirus vaccine drive is almost underway and at this point, news of a new COVID strain, the B117 virus has got everyone asking the question- does this mean a new lockdown?

Is It A Cold Or Is It An Allergy? By #AllergyFree- A Sanofi India Initiative

Disclaimer

The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts. Please click here for detailed T&C.

Please add item(s) to proceed