Pitocin Side Effects

Generic name: oxytocin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 14, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about oxytocin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Pitocin.

Applies to oxytocin: parenteral injection.

Side effects include:

Adverse effects usually are dose related.

Uterine hyperstimulation and subsequent fetal heart rate deceleration most common. (See Uterine Hyperactivity under General Precautions.)

Maternal nausea, vomiting, sinus bradycardia, premature ventricular complexes; probably related to labor and not the drug.

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, retinal hemorrhage, low Apgar scores at 5 minutes.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to oxytocin: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution.

General

The more commonly reported adverse effects have included headache, tachycardia, bradycardia, nausea and vomiting.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia, bradycardia

Frequency not reported: Premature ventricular contractions, hypertensive episodes, cardiac arrhythmia, bradycardia (neonate), premature ventricular contractions and other arrhythmias (neonate)

Postmarketing reports: Myocardial ischemia, QTc prolongation, hypotension, flushing^[Ref]

Bradycardia and premature ventricular contractions and other arrhythmias have been reported in the neonate due to induced uterine motility.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Permanent CNS or brain damage, and seizures have been reported in the neonate due to induced uterine motility.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Headache

Frequency not reported: Subarachnoid hemorrhage, permanent CNS or brain damage (neonate), neonatal seizures^[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Severe water intoxication with convulsions, coma, fatal water intoxication

Postmarketing reports: Maternal hyponatremia, neonatal hyponatremia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reaction and shock^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Uterine Rupture, pelvic hematoma, postpartum hemorrhage

Postmarketing reports: Uterine hypertonicity, tetanic contractions, rupture of the uterus; fetal distress (neonate), amniotic fluid embolism^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Fatal afibrinogenemia

Postmarketing reports: Disseminated intravascular coagulation^[Ref]

Hepatic

Neonatal jaundice has been reported in the neonate due to use of oxytocin (the active ingredient contained in Pitocin) in the mother.^[Ref]

Frequency not reported: Neonatal jaundice^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting^[Ref]

Respiratory

Postmarketing reports: Acute pulmonary edema, asphyxia (neonate)

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Neonatal retinal hemorrhage^[Ref]

Neonatal retinal hemorrhage has been reported in the neonate due to use of oxytocin in the mother.^[Ref]

Other

Fetal death has been reported due to induced uterine motility; low Apgar scores at 5 minutes have been reported in the neonate due to oxytocin (the active ingredient contained in Pitocin) use in the mother.

Frequency not reported: Fetal death, low Apgar scores at 5 minutes

Dermatologic

Postmarketing reports: Angioedema

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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