oxytocin
Brand names: Pitocin
Oxytocin (Pitocin) is a hormone medicine. It is used to start or improve contractions during labor.
What it does
This medicine is used to begin or strengthen labor.
Common side effects
Nausea, Vomiting, Pain
Key warnings
There are no boxed warnings provided in the information.
How It Works
Oxytocin works by mimicking the natural hormone of the same name. It increases contractions of the uterus. These contractions help to deliver the baby.
How to Take It
Take 20 drops in a little water. Do this two times per day. Take it 15 minutes before you eat your meals. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
This drug is used during pregnancy and delivery. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store this medicine as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 2,616 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 2,902 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1996–2025.
Total Reports
2,902
Death-Related Reports
149
Hospitalization Reports
848
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FOETAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 429 |
| 2 | MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 426 |
| 3 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 388 |
| 4 | EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 359 |
| 5 | PREMATURE BABY | 205 |
| 6 | HYPOTENSION | 191 |
| 7 | OFF LABEL USE | 185 |
| 8 | PREMATURE DELIVERY | 159 |
| 9 | DRUG EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY | 143 |
| 10 | POSTPARTUM HAEMORRHAGE | 131 |
| 11 | MATERNAL EXPOSURE DURING DELIVERY | 117 |
| 12 | CAESAREAN SECTION | 105 |
| 13 | LOW BIRTH WEIGHT BABY | 104 |
| 14 | NAUSEA | 96 |
| 15 | DYSPNOEA | 90 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
There are no boxed warnings provided in the information.
Known Drug Interactions
Examples: norepinephrine, epinephrine, oxytocin.
Mechanism: These medications both cause blood vessels to narrow, which can lead to a combined effect that raises blood pressure to unsafe levels.
What to do: Your medical team should watch your blood pressure carefully to ensure it stays within a safe range during treatment.
( 7 .1) Drugs that potentiate the effects of epinephrine include sympathomimetics, beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, COMT inhibitors, clonidine, doxapram, oxytocin, levothyroxine sodium, and certain antihistamines. ( 7 .4) 7.1 Drugs Antagonizing Pressor Effects of Epinephrine • α-blockers, such as phentolamine • Vasodilators, such as nitrates • Diuretics • Antihypertensives • Ergot alkaloids • Phenothiazine antipsychotics 7.2 Drugs Potentiating Pressor Effects of Epinephrine • Sympathomimetics • β-blockers, such as propranolol • Tricyclic anti-depressants • Monoamine...
Mechanism: Oxytocin can increase the blood pressure-raising effects of epinephrine. This combination might cause your blood pressure to go higher than expected.
What to do: Your healthcare provider should monitor your blood pressure carefully when using these medications at the same time.
Common Questions
What is oxytocin used for?
How often should I take this medicine?
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Can this medicine cause side effects?
Is it safe to use during pregnancy?
How should I store this medicine?
What if the medicine doesn't seem to be working?
Can this medicine cause high blood pressure?
Can this medicine cause allergic reactions?
Does this medicine affect the baby?
What are the common side effects of oxytocin?
Does oxytocin interact with other medications?
What drug class is oxytocin?
Is oxytocin safe during pregnancy?
Has oxytocin been recalled?
Active Recalls
Lack of Assurance of Sterility: FDA inspection findings resulted in concerns regarding quality control processes
Lowlite Investments, Inc. D/B/A Olympia Pharmacy
Related Medications in Oxytocic Hormone
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bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens
Duavee
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cabergoline
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clomiphene
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What the FDA Data Shows for oxytocin
The FDA label for oxytocin (sold under brand names such as Pitocin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Oxytocic Hormone class. This medicine is used to begin or strengthen labor. Official labeling lists 3 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Vomiting, Pain.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 2,616 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 1 recall record on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 22, 2018
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages