What is Oxytocin? Uses, warnings & side effects

Oxytocin is an intravenous or intramuscular injection administered and monitored by healthcare professionals in a clinic or hospital.

Oxytocin injections are administered and closely monitored by healthcare professionals so there are no missed doses.

Oxytocin is not right for every woman or every birth.

Women who are allergic to the injection will not be given the drug.

Some births are not appropriate for oxytocin intervention, including:

• Births that should only be delivered through surgery or where surgery is the safest option

• Situations where the fetus is not properly positioned for birth or is undeliverable until some intervention can correct the problem

• When the baby’s head is larger than the woman’s pelvis 

• When labor contractions are too strong

• When the unborn baby is in distress but delivery is not imminent

Oxytocin must only be administered by healthcare professionals in a hospital or clinic where the mother or fetus can be continuously observed and monitored by people who are well-trained in oxytocin and its possible complications.

Healthcare professionals carefully determine if oxytocin is appropriate by evaluating the mother, the fetus, and the situation. 

Oxytocin can cause overly strong uterine contractions, at which point the IV drip will be discontinued.

Because of the risks, healthcare professionals may avoid oxytocin injections in any of the following situations:

• Premature delivery

• Women who have had major surgery of the cervix or uterus, including a caesarian section

• Women who have had five or more children

• Larger than normal uterus (uterine distention)

• Invasive cervical cancer

Oxytocin can cause the following rare but severe problems:

• Water intoxication (overhydration leading to mental changes)

• High blood pressure episodes

• Bleeding in the brain

• Rupture of the uterus

• Death

Oxytocin can cause the following rare but severe problems in the newborn:

• Slow heartbeat

• Retinal bleeding

• Heart rhythm irregularities

• Permanent brain damage

• Death

Healthcare professionals will determine if the drug is safe to take with the drugs used by the mother.

Healthcare professionals will never use oxytocin injections if they are using a dinopristone vaginal insert to initiate or improve the softening and opening of the cervix prior to delivery. Dinopristone also causes uterine contractions. The insert must be removed at least 30 minutes before an oxytocin injection can be given safely.

For the same reason, healthcare professionals will try to avoid using oxytocin along with other drugs that cause uterine contractions, such as misoprostol or methylergonovine.

Because oxytocin can cause high blood pressure, healthcare professionals are very cautious about using it in women taking drugs that raise blood pressure.

Certain general anesthetics may not be safe when combined with oxytocin.