Oxytocin: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

This information is not country-specific. Please refer to the Philippines prescribing information.

Generic Medicine Info

Indications and Dosage

Intramuscular
Postpartum haemorrhage

Adult: To control postpartum uterine bleeding: 10 units via IM inj given after delivery of the placenta. Dosage and treatment recommendations may vary among countries and between individual products (refer to local or specific product guidelines).

Intravenous
Caesarean section

Adult: 5 units via IV infusion over 5 minutes given immediately after delivery. Treatment recommendations may vary among countries and between individual products (refer to local or specific product guidelines).

Intravenous
Labour induction

Adult: Induction of labour for medical reasons (e.g. post-term gestation, premature rupture of membranes, pre-eclampsia): Initially, 1-4 milliunits/min via IV infusion (preferably using an infusion pump), may gradually increase at intervals of at least 20 minutes in increments of 1-2 milliunits/min until a Max of 3-4 contractions occur every 10 minutes. In women who are at term or near term, discontinue induction attempt if regular contractions are not established after a total of 5 units; may repeat on the following day, initiating again at a rate of 1-4 milliunits/min. Dosage recommendations or infusion protocol may vary among countries and between individual products (refer to local or specific product guidelines).

Intravenous
Adjunct in abortion

Adult: In incomplete, inevitable or missed abortion: 5 units given via IV infusion over 5 minutes, may be followed by an IV infusion at a rate of 20-40 milliunits/min if necessary. Dosage recommendations may vary among countries and between individual products (refer to local or specific product guidelines).

Intravenous
Postpartum haemorrhage

Adult: Prevention: 5 units via IV infusion over 5 minutes given after delivery of the placenta. In women who are given oxytocin for labour induction, continue the infusion at an increased rate during the 3rd stage of labour and for the next few hours thereafter. Treatment: 5 units via IV infusion over 5 minutes; this is followed in severe cases by IV infusion of a solution containing 5-20 units in 500 mL of electrolyte-containing diluent at a rate sufficient to control uterine atony. Dosage recommendations may vary among countries and between individual products (refer to local or specific product guidelines).

What are the brands available for Oxytocin in Philippines?

Other Known Brands

Cetocin
Duopharma Oxytocin
Estima
Lavoxin
NeOxyn
Obcin
Ocitoxin
Oxitin-10
Oxitone
Oxyla
Oxymed
Oxynox
Popicin
Roxipan
Soloxine
Syntocinon
Tocinox

Reconstitution

IV infusion for labour induction: Add 5 units to 500 mL of physiological electrolyte solution (e.g. NaCl 0.9%); dextrose 5% solution may be used as a diluent if NaCl 0.9% is not recommended. IV infusion for other indications: Dilute 5 units in physiological electrolyte solution. Instructions on dilution, rate and concentration of infusion may vary between individual products or infusion protocols. Refer to local or specific product guidelines.

Contraindications

Contraindicated vaginal delivery (e.g. invasive cervical cancer, active genital herpes, prolapse of the cord, cord presentation, total placenta previa or vasa previa); significant cephalopelvic disproportion, unfavourable fetal positions or presentations (e.g. transverse lies), fetal distress when delivery is not imminent, hypertonic or hyperactive uterus; obstetrical emergencies where surgical intervention is favoured; cases where sufficient uterine activity fails to achieve satisfactory progress; predisposition to amniotic fluid embolism (e.g. foetal death in utero); pre-eclamptic toxaemia, severe CV disorders.

Special Precautions

Patient with predisposition to myocardial ischaemia due to pre-existing CV disease (e.g. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, ischaemic heart disease, valvular heart disease) or known long QT syndrome. When given for labour induction: Patient with borderline cephalopelvic disproportion, secondary uterine inertia, mild or moderate degrees of pregnancy-induced cardiac disease or hypertension, history of lower-uterine segment caesarean section, and age of ≥35 years. Not indicated for elective induction of labour. Lactation.

Adverse Reactions

Significant: Arrhythmias, hypotension, myocardial ischaemia, peripheral vasodilation, tachycardia, QT interval prolongation; uterine hypertonicity, spasm, tetanic contraction (high doses or due to hypersensitivity). Rarely, postpartum disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Cardiac disorders: Bradycardia.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, vomiting.
Immune system disorders: Anaphylactic reactions.
Nervous system disorders: Headache.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Rash.
Potentially Fatal: Water intoxication associated with hyponatraemia (high doses over prolonged periods); hypertensive episodes, subarachnoid haemorrhage, rupture of the uterus.

Pregnancy Category (US FDA)

IM/IV/Parenteral: C

Monitoring Parameters

Monitor fluid intake and output, uterine activity (e.g. tonus, amplitude, frequency of contractions), maternal blood pressure; continuous electronic fetal heart rate in relation to uterine contractions.

Overdosage

Symptoms: Uterine overstimulation leading to hypertonicity, tetanic contractions, uterine rupture and soft tissue damage; placental abruption and/or amniotic fluid embolism, water intoxication with seizures; fetal distress (e.g. reduced cardiac rhythm, asphyxia, presence of meconium in amniotic fluid). Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment. Discontinue treatment and administer oxygen to the mother. To treat water intoxication, restrict fluid intake and correct electrolyte imbalance; control convulsions that may eventually occur by administering diazepam.

Drug Interactions

May enhance activity with prostaglandins. Certain inhalation anaesthetics (e.g. cyclopropane, halothane) may potentiate the hypotensive effect and decrease the action of oxytocin; concomitant use may also cause cardiac rhythm disturbances. May increase the vasopressor effects of sympathomimetic agents and vasoconstrictors. May enhance the QT-prolonging effect of agents that prolong the QT interval.

Action

Description:
Mechanism of Action: Oxytocin is a synthetic nonapeptide that activates receptors in the myometrium, which triggers the release of calcium from intracellular stores and thereby stimulates uterine contractions.
Onset: Uterine contractions: Approx 1 minute (IV); 3-5 minutes (IM).
Duration: 1 hour (IV); 2-3 hours (IM).
Pharmacokinetics:
Distribution: Enters breast milk in small amounts.
Metabolism: Metabolised in the liver and kidneys.
Excretion: Via urine (small amount as unchanged drug). Elimination half-life: 1-6 minutes.

Chemical Structure

Storage

Ampoule: Store between 2-8°C. Do not freeze. May be stored below 25°C for 6 months. Vial: Store between 20-25°C. Storage recommendations may vary among countries and between individual products. Refer to specific product guidelines.

MIMS Class

Drugs Acting on the Uterus

ATC Classification

H01BB02 - oxytocin ; Belongs to the class of oxytocin and analogues. Used in posterior pituitary lobe hormone preparations.

References

Apotex NZ Ltd. Oxytocin Apotex Injection 5 IU/mL and 10 IU/mL data sheet 16 April 2018. Medsafe. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz. Accessed 30/04/2025.

Brayfield A, Cadart C (eds). Oxytocin. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 30/04/2025.

Joint Formulary Committee. Oxytocin. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 30/04/2025.

Oxyla 10 IU/mL Injection (Averroes Pharmaceuticals Sdn. Bhd.). National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency - Ministry of Health Malaysia. https://www.npra.gov.my. Accessed 30/04/2025.

Oxytocin 10 IU Solution for Inj (Ever Neuro Pharma GmbH). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 30/04/2025.

Oxytocin. UpToDate Lexidrug, Lexi-Drugs Multinational Online. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 30/04/2025.

Pitocin Injection (Endo USA, Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 30/04/2025.

Syntocinon 5 IU/mL Concentrate for Solution for Infusion (Laboratorios Farmalan, S.A.). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 11/07/2025.

Disclaimer: This information is independently developed by MIMS based on Oxytocin from various references and is provided for your reference only. Therapeutic uses, prescribing information and product availability may vary between countries. Please refer to MIMS Product Monographs for specific and locally approved prescribing information. Although great effort has been made to ensure content accuracy, MIMS shall not be held responsible or liable for any claims or damages arising from the use or misuse of the information contained herein, its contents or omissions, or otherwise. Copyright © 2025 MIMS. All rights reserved. Powered by MIMS.com