oxytocin

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and medication used primarily to induce or augment labor in pregnant women and to control postpartum bleeding. It acts as an agonist at the oxytocin receptor, stimulating uterine smooth muscle contractions during labor and promoting milk ejection by contracting myoepithelial cells in the mammary glands. Oxytocin is administered intravenously or intramuscularly for obstetric indications; it may also be available as an intranasal spray for certain off-label uses. The drug is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines and has been widely used since its discovery in 1906. Its primary indications include induction or augmentation of labor when medically necessary, management of incomplete or inevitable abortion, and prevention/treatment of postpartum hemorrhage[1][2][3][4][5].

Brand names

PitocinSyntocinon

Other names

synthetic oxytocinOXYTOCINOX-i-TOE-sin