Oxytocin Side Effects
Brand Names: Pitocin, Syntocinon
Please note - some side effects for Oxytocin may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.
Side Effects of Oxytocin - for the Consumer
Oxytocin
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Oxytocin:
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Oxytocin:Nausea; vomiting; more intense or abrupt contractions of the uterus.
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood clotting problems; changes in heart rate; heavy or continued bleeding after childbirth; irregular heartbeat; pooling of blood in the pelvis; ruptured uterus.
Fetus: Bleeding in the eye; irregular heartbeat; seizures; slow heartbeat.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
TopOxytocin Side Effects - for the Professional
Oxytocin
The following adverse reactions have been reported in the mother:
| Anaphylactic reaction | Nausea |
| Postpartum hemorrhage | Vomiting |
| Cardiac arrhythmia | Premature ventricular contractions |
| Fatal afibrinogenemia | Pelvic hematoma |
Excessive dosage or hypersensitivity to the drug may result in uterine hypertonicity, spasm, tetanic contraction, or rupture of the uterus.
The possibility of increased blood loss and afibrinogenemia should be kept in mind when administering the drug.
Severe water intoxication with convulsions and coma has occurred, and is associated with a slow Oxytocin infusion over a 24-hour period. Maternal death due to Oxytocin-induced water intoxication has been reported.
The following adverse reactions have been reported in the fetus or infant:
| Due to induced uterine mobility: | Due to use of Oxytocin in the mother: |
|---|---|
| Bradycardia | Neonatal retinal hemorrhage |
| Premature ventricular contractions and other arrhythmias | Low Apgar scores at five minutes |
| Permanent CNS or brain damage | Neonatal jaundice |
| Fetal death |
Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular side effects have included hypertension, premature ventricular contractions, sinus tachycardia, and other cardiac arrhythmias. Neonatal bradycardia, premature ventricular contractions and other arrhythmias have been reported.
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects have included mania-like disturbances and seizures. The seizures may have been related to water intoxication. Neonatal seizures and permanent CNS or brain damage has been reported.
Metabolic
Metabolic side effects have included water intoxication resulting in coma and seizures.
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity side effects have included anaphylactic reactions.
Genitourinary
Genitourinary side effects have included pelvic hematoma. Excessive doses have produced pelvic fracture, uterine hypertonicity, spasm, tetanic contraction and rupture.
Hematologic
Hematologic side effects have included postpartum hemorrhage and fatal afibrinogenemia.
Hepatic
Hepatic side effects have included neonatal jaundice.
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea and vomiting.
Respiratory
Respiratory side effects have included pulmonary edema.
Renal
Renal side effects have included decreases in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow. Doses of 40 milliunits per minute may produce significant decreases in urine output.
Local
Local side effects have included nasal irritation and rhinorrhea.
Ocular
Ocular side effects have included neonatal retinal hemorrhages.
Psychiatric
Psychiatric side effects have included memory impairment and mania in patients on high doses.
General
General side effects have include low Apgar scores at 5 minutes. Fetal death has been reported.
TopMore Oxytocin resources
- Oxytocin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Oxytocin Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Oxytocin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Oxytocin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- oxytocin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- oxytocin Intravenous, Intramuscular Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Pitocin Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Syntocinon Prescribing Information (FDA)
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