MedPath

Oxytocin

Generic Name
Oxytocin
Brand Names
Pitocin
Drug Type
Biotech
Chemical Formula
-
CAS Number
50-56-6
Unique Ingredient Identifier
1JQS135EYN
Background

Sir Henry H. Dale first identified oxytocin and its uterine contractile properties in 1906. Like all other neurohypophysial hormones, oxytocin is composed of nine amino acids with a disulfide bridge between the Cys 1 and 6 residues. In the mid-1950s, synthetic oxytocin was successfully synthesized by a biochemist named Vincent du Vigneaud; he was later recognized with a Nobel prize for his work. Oxytocin continues to be an important tool in modern obstetrics to induce labor when indicated and to manage postpartum hemorrhage. It is estimated that labor induction with oxytocin is used in almost 10% of deliveries globally.

It should be noted that there are risks associated with oxytocin intervention during childbirth. Oxytocin should be used judiciously only when necessary and by experienced healthcare practitioners.

Although most commonly linked to labor and delivery, oxytocin actually has broad peripheral and central effects. It plays an important role in pair bonding, social cognition and functioning, and even fear conditioning. Oxytocin also serves a role in metabolic homeostasis and cardiovascular regulation.

Indication

Administration of exogenous oxytocin is indicated in the antepartum period to initiate or improve uterine contractions for vaginal delivery in situations where there is fetal or maternal concern. For example, It may be used to induce labor in cases of Rh sensitization, maternal diabetes, preeclampsia at or near term, and when delivery is indicated due to prematurely ruptured membranes. Importantly, oxytocin is not approved or indicated for elective induction of labor. Oxytocin may be used to reinforce labor in select cases of uterine inertia and as adjunctive therapy in the management of incomplete or inevitable abortion. In the postpartum period, oxytocin may be used to induced contractions in the 3rd stage of labor and to control postpartum bleeding or hemorrhage.

Associated Conditions
Incomplete Abortion, Inevitable abortion, Postpartum Bleeding
Associated Therapies
Reinforcement of labor

Does Intramyometrial Oxytocin Improve Outcome in Elective Cesarean Delivery?

Phase 4
Withdrawn
Conditions
Postpartum Hemorrhage
Uterine Atony
Interventions
Drug: Oxytocin
Drug: Saline
First Posted Date
2010-12-02
Last Posted Date
2012-01-11
Lead Sponsor
University of Saskatchewan
Registration Number
NCT01252342
Locations
🇨🇦

Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

"The Effects of Oxytocin on Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder"

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Effects of Oxytocin on Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Interventions
Drug: Oxytocin
Other: placebo
First Posted Date
2010-11-18
Last Posted Date
2022-11-03
Lead Sponsor
Prof. Dr. Markus Heinrichs
Target Recruit Count
138
Registration Number
NCT01243658
Locations
🇩🇪

Albert-Ludwigs-Universität-Freiburg, Freiburg, Baden-Würtemberg, Germany

Oxytocin and Tibolone Adjuncts in Treatment Resistant Depression - A Pilot Study

Phase 1
Conditions
Depression
Major Depressive Disorder
Interventions
First Posted Date
2010-11-15
Last Posted Date
2012-01-18
Lead Sponsor
The Alfred
Target Recruit Count
15
Registration Number
NCT01239888
Locations
🇦🇺

Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Oxytocin Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Alcohol Withdrawal
Interventions
Drug: intranasal oxytocin spray
Other: intranasal spray without oxytocin
First Posted Date
2010-09-30
Last Posted Date
2014-05-13
Lead Sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Target Recruit Count
14
Registration Number
NCT01212185
Locations
🇺🇸

University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States

🇺🇸

Central Regional Hospital, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Oxytocin Add-on for Stable Depressed Patients

Not Applicable
Terminated
Conditions
Major Depressive Disorder
Dysthymia Disorder
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Drug: Oxytocin
First Posted Date
2010-09-29
Last Posted Date
2019-09-25
Lead Sponsor
David Feifel
Target Recruit Count
1
Registration Number
NCT01211756
Locations
🇺🇸

UCSD Medical Center, San Diego, California, United States

Open Label Comparative Trial of Dinoprostone Plus or Minus Oxytocin Versus Oxytocin Alone in Cervical Ripening for Labor Induction

Phase 4
Terminated
Conditions
Vaginal Delivery
Cesarean Section
Interventions
First Posted Date
2010-08-27
Last Posted Date
2012-08-23
Lead Sponsor
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Target Recruit Count
170
Registration Number
NCT01190163
Locations
🇧🇷

Hospital Maternidade Leonor Mendes de Barros, São Paulo, Brazil

🇧🇷

Hospital M Boi Mirim, São Paulo, Brazil

🇧🇷

Hospital Municipal Universitário - Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, São Bernardo, São Paulo, Brazil

and more 1 locations

The Effects of Oxytocin on Complex Social Cognition in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
ASD
Autism
Interventions
Drug: Syntocinon
Drug: Placebo
First Posted Date
2010-08-17
Last Posted Date
2021-04-15
Lead Sponsor
Alexander Kolevzon
Target Recruit Count
30
Registration Number
NCT01183221
Locations
🇺🇸

Mount Sinai School of Medicine - Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, New York, New York, United States

The Effect of Oxytocin on Gastric Emptying

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Dyspepsia
Lack of Satiety
Interventions
First Posted Date
2010-06-29
Last Posted Date
2015-04-07
Lead Sponsor
Skane University Hospital
Target Recruit Count
14
Registration Number
NCT01152047
Locations
🇸🇪

Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden

Cervical Ripening for Induction of Labor: Misoprostol Versus Oxytocin in Conjunction With Foley Balloon

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Induction of Labor
Interventions
First Posted Date
2010-06-09
Last Posted Date
2018-08-24
Lead Sponsor
Aultman Health Foundation
Target Recruit Count
50
Registration Number
NCT01139801
Locations
🇺🇸

Aultman Health Foundation, Canton, Ohio, United States

Brain Blood Flow Changes Elicited by Oxytocin in Volunteers With and Without Schizophrenia

Not Applicable
Withdrawn
Conditions
Schizophrenia
Interventions
First Posted Date
2010-05-14
Last Posted Date
2019-08-19
Lead Sponsor
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Registration Number
NCT01123317
Locations
🇺🇸

Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Catonsville, Maryland, United States

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