Oxytocin

General

• Type: Uterotonic
• Dosage Forms:
• Routes of Administration: IM/IV
• Common Trade Names: Pitocin

Adult Dosing

Postpartum hemorrhage

• 10 international units (IU) can be injected intramuscularly OR
• 20 IU in 1 L of saline may be infused at a rate of 250 mL per hour
  • 500 mL can be infused over 10 minutes without complications.

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating: X
• Lactation risk: Safe
• Renal Dosing
  • Adult
  • Pediatric
• Hepatic Dosing
  • Adult
  • Pediatric

Indications

• First line therapy for postpartum hemorrhage

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug
• Many contraindications when used to induce labor

Adverse Reactions

• Rapid administration may cause hypotension

Pharmacology

• Half-life: 1-6min
• Metabolism:
• Excretion: Urine (small amounts)
• Mechanism of Action: "Uterine stimulant, vasopressive, & antidiuretic effects; activates G-protein-coupled receptors that trigger increases in intracellular calcium levels in uterine myofibrils, which results in uterine contractions; increases local prostaglandin production, which further stimulates uterine contraction"