- Labour induction or augmentation:
- Start with IV 0.5-2 MU/min. Increase with 1-2 MU/min every 15-40min until contraction pattern established. Max: 20 MU/min (augmentation), 40 MU/min (induction).
- May decrease dose after desired frequency of contraction reached and labor has progressed to 5-6 cm dilation.
- Postpartum hemorrhage:
- IM 10 units after delivery of placenta OR
-
- IV 20 MU/min after placenta delivery until uterus firmly contracted.
- Add 10-40 units (max 40 units) to 1000 mL of non-hydrating IV solution and infuse at necessary rate to control uterine atony.
- IV 20 MU/min after placenta delivery until uterus firmly contracted.
- Incomplete or therapeutic abortion:
- IV 10-20 MU at a rate of 20-40 MU.
- Diagnosis of utero-placental insufficiency:
- IV initially 0.5 MU/min, doubled every 20 minutes as necessary (5-6 MU/min). After 3 uterine contractions, IV is discontinued and baseline and oxytocin-induced fetal heart rate and uterine contraction patterns are compared.
Injection: 5 IU, 10 IU
IV prep: Dilute to 10 mU/mL by adding 10 U (1 mL) to 1000 mL of D5W, LR, or NS
Uterine stimulant.
It increases intracellular calcium concentrations in the uterine myometrium, which contains receptors specific to oxytocin, thus inducing contractions. It increases local prostaglandin production, which further stimulates uterine contraction.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Uterine hypertonicity
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Allergic reactions
- Severe hypertension
- Uterine rapture
- Abruptio placentae
- Cervical laceration
- Vaginal laceration
- Pelvic hematoma
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Hypersensitivity to components
- Hypertonic uterine patterns
- NOT INDICATED FOR ELECTIVE INDUCTION OF LABOUR
- If vaginal delivery contraindicated
- Significant cephalopelvic disproportion
- Unfavourable feta position or presentation
- Fetal distress without imminent delivery
- Total placenta previa
- Vasa previa
- Cord presentation or prolapse
- Active herpes genitalis
- Invasive cervical CA
- Where adequate uterine activity fails to achieve satisfactory progress
- Vaginal dinoprostone
- Anaesthetics like halothane, isoflurane and enflurane
- Sympathomimetics
Drug Status
| Availability | Prescription only |
| Pregnancy | Category X, unless indicated |
| Breastfeeding | Delay nursing with 1 day after discontinuation |
| Schedule | Controlled |
| BRAND NAME | STRENGTH | FORMULATION | PACK SIZE | MANUFACTURER | DISTRIBUTOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtocin | 10 IU/mL | Injection | 10’s | Crown Healthcare | Crown Healthcare |
| Evatocin | 10 IU/mL | Injection | 10’s | Neon Labs | Ripple Pharma |
| Oxytocin | 10 IU/mL | Injection | 1’s | Laborate India | Harley’s Ltd |
| Oxytocin | 5 IU/mL | Injection | 10’s | Minapharm Pharma | Surgilinks Ltd |
| Oxytocin | 5 IU/mL | Injection | 5’s, 10’s | Rotexmedica GMBH | Nairobi Pharma |
| Oxytocin | 5 IU/mL | Injection | 10’s | Win-Medicare Ltd | Europa Healthcare |
| Oxytocin | 10 IU/mL | Injection | 1’s | Galaxy Pharma | Galaxy Pharma |
| Sytocinon | 5 IU/mL | Injection | 10’s | Novartis Pharma | Surgilinks Ltd |
| Sytocinon | 10 IU/mL | Injection | 10’s | Novartis Pharma | Surgilinks Ltd |
| Unitocin | 10 IU/mL | Injection | 1’s | Medisel Kenya | Medisel Kenya |