Oxytocin
Oxytocin and Analogues
- Drug class
- Oxytocin and Analogues
- Availability
- Prescription only
- Routes
- Intramuscular, Intravenous
- Markets covered
- 3
- Products on record
- 16
- FDA reports (12 mo)
- 125
Overview
Plain-language summary, compiled from the cited regulatory records
Oxytocin is a synthetic medication belonging to the drug class of Oxytocin and Analogues [1]. It is approved for the medical induction of labor in individuals with a term pregnancy [1]. Available data is insufficient to determine the benefits and risks associated with using oxytocin for elective induction, which is defined as initiating labor for convenience in the absence of medical indications [1].
In the past 12 months, there have been 125 adverse event reports associated with oxytocin [2]. Some of the most frequently reported adverse events include fetal exposure during pregnancy, drug ineffectiveness, maternal exposure during pregnancy, maternal exposure during delivery, and neonatal jaundice [2]. Oxytocin is available under various brand names [1].
This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Regulatory status by market
| Market | Regulator | Products | Last revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB United Kingdom | MHRA | 12 | May 15, 2026 |
| US United States | FDA | 1 | June 20, 2025 |
| CA Canada | Health Canada | 3 | September 9, 2025 |
GBUnited Kingdom· MHRA
12 products
Uses
Induction of labour for medical reasons; stimulation of labour in hypotonic uterine inertia; during caesarean section, following delivery of the child; prevention and treatment of postpartum uterine atony and haemorrhage. Early stages of pregnancy as a adjunctive therapy for the management of incomplete, inevitable, or missed abortion.
How to take
USUnited States· FDA
1 product
Uses
INDICATIONS AND USAGE IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Oxytocin Injection, USP (synthetic) is indicated for the medical rather than the elective induction of labor. Available data and information are inadequate to define the benefits to risks considerations in the use of the drug product for elective induction.
Elective induction of labor is defined as the initiation of labor for convenience in an individual with a term pregnancy who is free of medical indications. Antepartum Oxytocin injection (synthetic) is indicated for the initiation or improvement of uterine contractions, where this is desirable and considered suitable, in order to achieve early vaginal delivery for fetal or maternal reasons.
It is indicated for (1) induction of labor in patients with a medical indication for the initiation of labor, such as Rh problems, maternal diabetes, pre-eclampsia at or near term, when delivery is in the best interest of mother and fetus or when membranes are prematurely ruptured and delivery is indicated; (2) stimulation or reinforcement of labor, as in selected cases of uterine inertia; (3) adjunctive therapy in the management of incomplete or inevitable abortion.
CACanada· Health Canada
3 products
3 products on record with this regulator. Detailed label text (uses, dosage, side effects) is being ingested — the original document is linked under Sources [3].
Drug interactions
Known interactions involving Oxytocin. Select one for details. This list is informational and not a complete interaction checker.
Interaction data compiled from DDInter (academic, CC-BY). Severity classification only - this is not a complete interaction checker and not medical advice.
Sources & citations
- [1]MHRA (UK) · PL403690005 · revised August 8, 2025
- [2]FDA DailyMed · 18fe8365-86e3-41… · revised June 20, 2025 [PDF]
- [3]Health Canada (DPD) · 00497398 · revised March 22, 2025
- [4]OpenFDA adverse-event reports (US), 12 months ending June 4, 2026.
Information on this page is compiled from public regulatory records. Drugvu is not affiliated with any regulator or pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.