Pitocin Side Effects

Generic Name: oxytocin

Please note - some side effects for Pitocin may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Pitocin - for the Consumer

Pitocin

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 Pitocin:

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.

Pitocin Side Effects - for the Professional

Pitocin

The following adverse reactions have been reported in the mother:

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, 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 neonate:

Side Effects by Body System

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.

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