Generic Name: Oxytocin

Brand Name: Pitocin, Syntocinon Dosage: 10 units/ml in 1ml ampule Route: IV/IM
Action Indication Contraindication Adverse reaction Nursing Responsibility
Synthetic form of an Antepartum: to initiate  Significant CV: Before:
endogenous or improve uterine cephalopelvic Cardiac arrhythmias, - Assess for significant cephalopelvic
hormone produced contractions to achieve disproportion, PVCs, HPN, disproportion, unfavorable fetal
in the hypothalamus early vaginal delivery; unfavorable fetal subarachnoid positions or presentations, severe
and stored in the stimulation positions hemorrhage toxemia, uterine inertia, previous
posterior pituitary; or reinforcement of or presentations, Fetal effects: cesarean section
stimulates the labor in selected cases obstetric emergencies Fetal bradycardia, - Assess fetal heart rate uterine tone
uterus, especially of uterine inertia; that favor surgical neonatal jaundice, low -  Ensure fetal position and size and
the gravid uterus management intervention, prolonged Apgar scores absence of complications
just before of inevitable or use in severe toxemia, GI:
parturition, and incomplete abortion; uterine inertia, nausea, vomiting During:
causes second trimester hypertonic uterine GU: - Infuse via constant infusion pump to
myoepithelium of abortion- Postpartum: patterns, induction postpartum ensure accurate control of rate; rate
the lacteal glands to To produce uterine or augmentation of hemorrhage, uterine determined by uterine response; begin
contract, which contractions during the labor when vaginal rupture, pelvic with 1-2mL/min and increase at 16- to
results in milk third stage of labor and delivery is hematoma, uterine 60-min intervals
ejection in lactating to control postpartum contraindicated, hypertonicity, spasm, - Do not combine in solution with
mothers bleeding or previous cesarean tetani contraction, fibrinolysin or heparin- Monitor
hemorrhage. lactation section, rupture of the uterus maternal BP
deficiency- Unlabeled pregnancy(nasal) with excessive dosage, - Monitor neonate for jaundice
use; To evaluate fetal Use cautiously with or hypersensitivity - Discontinue drug and notify physician
distress (oxytocin renal impairment. Hypersensitivity: at any sign of hypertensive emergency
challenge test), Anaphylactic reactions
treatment of breast Other: After:
engorgement Maternal and fetal - Educate client on the side effect of
deaths when used to the medication and what to expect
induce labor or in 1st or - Document that drug has been given.
2nd
stages of labor;
afibrinogemia; severe
water intoxication with
seizures and coma,
maternal death