OXYTOCICS

These are group of drugs that cause contraction of the uterus.

Oxytocin

Actions:

1. Oxytocin stimulates the uterus and cause physiologic type of contraction.

2. It also causes ejection of milk through contraction of the myo-epithelial cells around the alveoli of the mammary gland.

Pharmacokinetics: It is inactivated orally and absorbed rapidly after intramuscular administration. It can also be absorbed from nasal and buccal membrane.

Use: Induction of labor in women with uterine inertia, Relief of breast engorgement during lactation (few minutes before breast feeding) as nasal spray, Postpartum hemorrhage.

Side effect: Oxytocin may cause over stimulation and leads to rupture of the uterus in the presence of cephalo-pelvic disproportion. Therefore it’s contraindicated in woman with uterine scar. When given intravenously may cause water retention leading to water intoxication.