PHINMA - UNIVERSITY OF ILOILO
COLLEGE OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES
THERAPEUTIC
MEDICATION
ACTIONS
GENERIC NAME: -Oxytocin is a hormone
Oxytocin that helps with labor and
delivery. The hormone is
BRAND NAME: made in the
hypothalamus and then
Pitocin secreted from the
paraventricular nucleus
CLASSIFICATION: to the posterior pituitary,
Pharmacologic Class: where it is kept. It is then
Posterior released in pulses to
Pituitary trigger uterine
Hormone contractions during
childbirth.
Therapeutic Class: -During pregnancy, the
Uterine-active number of oxytocin
Agent receptors on the
myometrium increases
ROUTE: dramatically and peaks in
Oxytocin can be early labor. When
given intravenously or oxytocin receptors on the
intramuscularly. The myometrium are
intramuscular (IM) route activated, a downstream
has the advantage of cascade occurs, resulting
ease of administration in increased intracellular
and requires relatively calcium in uterine
less skill to administer. myofibrils, strengthening
Following IM injection, and increasing the
the effect on the uterus frequency of uterine
appears within 3–7 min contractions.
and persists for 30–60 -Most hormones in
min humans are controlled by
Nursing Department
DRUG STUDY
NURSING
INDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATIONS SIDE EFFECTS
RESPONSIBILITIES/PRECAUTIONS
-To induce or stimulate -hypersensitive to drug when CV: Hypertension, -Because of the potential of cervical laceration,
Labor. vaginal delivery is advised increased heart rate, uterine rupture, and maternal and fetal death
-Administration of - cephalopelvic disproportion is systemic venous during the first and second stages of labor, the
exogenous oxytocin is present return, cardiac patient should be continuously monitored.
indicated in the -when delivery requires output -Monitor contractions, fetal and maternal heart
antepartum period to conversion as in transverse lie GI: Nausea, vomiting rates, maternal blood pressure, and EDC on a
initiate or improve RESPIRATORY: regular basis. If uterine hyperactivity occurs, stop
uterine contractions for Anoxia, asphyxia the infusion.
vaginal delivery in OTHERS: Low APGAR -Assess fluid intake and output. Watch for
situations where there is score at 5 mins. signs and symptoms of water intoxication.
fetal or maternal
concern.
-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
 negative feedback,
DOSAGE/ whereas oxytocin is one
FREQUENCY: of the few that is
Available Forms: controlled by positive
10 units/ml in 1ml feedback. The fetus’ head
ampule, vial or syringe pressing on the cervix
in compatible IV causes the mother’s
solution. posterior pituitary to
release oxytocin. After
then, oxytocin flows to
the uterus and promotes
uterine contractions. The
uterine contractions that
have been triggered will
then stimulate the
release of more oxytocin.
Until parturition, this
positive feedback loop
will continue.
PREPARED BY: Billones, Rica S.

CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR: