Pitocin 10 iu Injection (Oxytocin)

Pitocin 10 IU Injection is a medication widely used for the stimulation of labor in women who are pregnant. It performs an important role in the procedure of childbirth by escalating contractions of the uterus, finally resulting in the starting of labor. Moreover, this medication can also be recommended for managing post-delivery bleeding, offering assistance in the important postpartum period.

What is Pitocin 10 IU Injection?

Pitocin 10 IU Injection is primarily used in the process of stimulating and augmenting labor in pregnant women. It consists of oxytocin as the key component of the medication and belongs to the drug class of oxytocin hormones. It is also popularly used for controlling post-delivery bleeding, strengthening labor contractions, and inducing abortions.

How does a Pitocin 10 IU Injection work?

Pitocin 10 IU Injection contains oxytocin, which is a naturally occurring hormone used in obstetrics. This medicine links with G-protein-coupled receptors (OTR) on the smooth tissue cells of the uterus (myometrium). This receptor stimulation causes a surge of events, which results in escalated intracellular calcium levels. This increase in intracellular calcium levels triggers the smooth muscle cells to narrow, resulting in uterine contractions that are important for labor and delivery. This medicine also leads to an increase in the formation of prostaglandins that later improve uterine contractions.

How to use Pitocin 10 IU Injection?

Pitocin 10 IU Injection should be directed to you only by your doctor or a nurse into the muscle (intramuscularly) and the vein (intravenously). Your healthcare provider will determine the accurate dose for you based on your physical weight and health condition.

Medical Uses of Pitocin 10 IU Injections

Pitocin 10 IU Injection is mainly used for the stimulation and escalation of labor, restraint of postpartum bleeding, enhancing milk discharge while lactating, and handling unfinished or unavoidable abortion. It fits in the group of hormones and medications used in obstetrics.

In rare cases, the medicine can also be taken to encourage uterine contractions in second-trimester abortion and to handle postpartum urinary retention.

What is the recommended dosage of Pitocin 10 IU Injection?

The Pitocin 5 IU dosage and schedule should be administered by a specialized doctor. The treatment is based on what it is used for and how the body reacts to the medication. The treatment should be tracked down exactly as guided and prescribed. Do not change the treatment plan by yourself without consulting your doctor priorly.

Strengths of Pitocin IU Injection

Other strengths of Pitocin IU Injection available are:

Side Effects of Pitocin 10 IU Injection

There can be some side effects of Pitocin 10 IU Injection that you may experience during its treatment.

• Vomiting
• Headache
• Nausea
• Uterine contractions

Pitocin 10 IU Injection during Pregnancy

Pitocin 10 IU Injection is popularly used in obstetric practice, incorporated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The existing data recommended that this medication would not be a danger to the developing baby when administered appropriately to induce labor pain. However, it must be used with the supervision of a certified medical professional.

Important Safety Information before Using Pitocin 10 IU Injection

Individuals who have or have had any uterine or cervical surgery in the past, cesarean section (C-section), or early labor should share these records with the doctor beforehand.

Inform your healthcare provider right away if you are allergic to oxytocin, any other ingredient of this oxytocin medication, or any other medicines. If you are taking this medication from the pharmacist, ask them to list all the ingredients of the injection.

Update your healthcare provider on your OTC medications and prescription-based medications, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal products you are using, have used, or are planning to use before starting this treatment. Your doctor might require you to change the doses of your medications and may need to keep checking on them for possible side effects.

Enlighten your doctor if you have placenta previa, genital herpes, or small pelvic structure cancer of the cervix, toxemia, or abnormal position of the umbilical cord or fetus.

Precautions and Warnings

• A Pitocin 10 IU Injection does not usually interfere with the capability to drive or use big machines. However, if you perceive side effects like fatigue or dizziness, stay away from these tasks until these side effects subside.
• An overdose of this medication can cause signs like vomiting, nausea, and serious uterine contractions. If you suspect an overdose, let your doctor know right away.
• Make sure you stay well hydrated before and during the treatment to reduce side effects.
• Ignore stress-triggering activities and make certain you get plenty of rest, since stress can at times worsen medical conditions.

Drug Interactions

The below-mentioned medications are thought to initiate drug interactions if used with Pitocin 10 IU Injection. Inform your doctor if you take any of these medicines.

• Clozapine
• Dronedarone
• Etrasimod
• Hydroxychloroquine
• Levoketoconazole
• Ozanimod
• Quinidine
• Saquinavir
• Ziprasidone

Alternative Medications

Although Pitocin 10 IU Injection is a safe and effective medication to induce labor, there may be some people who are not suitable to use this medication, which is known to cause allergies. The doctors may prescribe you its alternate medications available online. Below are some substitutes for Pitocin:

Pitocin 5 iu Injection

Storage Guideline

Pitocin 10 IU Injection is suggested to be kept at a temperature between 2 degrees Celsius and 8 degrees Celsius. It can be kept up to 30 degrees Celsius for three months but should then be disposed of. You should place the injection somewhere away from heat, sun rays, or humidity and out of reach of children and pets.

Conclusion

Pitocin 10 IU Injection is a synthetic hormone that is used to stimulate labor. It is also majorly used to manage post-delivery bleeding. The administration of this medicine is either intravenously (via a vein) or intramuscularly (via the muscle) by an eligible medical professional at a nearby clinic or healthcare center. The medicine can cause uterine contractions for a couple of days. Before moving ahead with this medicine, inform the doctor if you have a record of early labor, any surgery of the uterus, or cesarean section.

FAQs