Dangerous Drug: Oxytocin



Dangerous Drug: Oxytocin





(ox i toe’ sin)

Pitocin

PREGNANCY CATEGORY X


Drug Classes

Hormone

Oxytocic


Therapeutic Actions

Synthetic form of an endogenous hormone produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary; stimulates the uterus, especially the gravid uterus just before parturition, and causes myoepithelium of the lacteal glands to contract, which results in milk ejection in lactating women.



Indications



  • Antepartum: To initiate or improve uterine contractions to achieve early vaginal delivery; stimulation or reinforcement of labor in select cases of uterine inertia; management of inevitable or incomplete abortion; second trimester abortion


  • Postpartum: To produce uterine contractions during the third stage of labor and to control postpartum bleeding or hemorrhage


  • Lactation deficiency


  • Unlabeled uses: To evaluate fetal distress (oxytocin challenge test), treatment of breast engorgement



Available Forms

Injection—10 units/mL


Dosages

Adjust dosage based on uterine response.

Adults



  • Induction or stimulation of labor: Initial dose of no more than 0.5–2 milliunits/min (0.0005–0.002 units/min) by IV infusion through an infusion pump. Increase the dose in increments of no more than 1–2 milliunits/min at 30- to 60-min intervals until a contraction pattern similar to normal labor is established. Rates exceeding 9–10 milliunits/min are rarely required. Discontinue in event of uterine hyperactivity, fetal distress.

IV

Jul 21, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Dangerous Drug: Oxytocin

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