Oxytocin
Also sold as: Syntocinon, Pitocin
Prescription neededPregnancy and birth (hospital use)
Comes as:InjectionDrip (infusion)
Also sold as: Syntocinon, Pitocin
Given only by a trained health worker in a health facility. To prevent heavy bleeding after birth: 10 units into the muscle right after the baby is born. For starting or speeding up labour it is given by slow drip with close monitoring.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
Medicines that can react with this one.
Using both during labour can cause excessive contractions; they are combined only under close monitoring.