Oxytocin 5Iu Injection belongs to the class of medication called 'oxytocic' or 'uterotonic', primarily used for initiating or improving uterine contraction (antepartum) and producing uterine contraction during the third stage of labour (postpartum). Besides this, it also controls postpartum bleeding or haemorrhage after childbirth. Labour induction stimulates uterine (womb) contractions during pregnancy before labour pain begins to achieve a vaginal birth. It is recommended by the doctor for labour induction for various reasons, especially when there is a concern for a mother's or baby's health.

Oxytocin 5Iu Injection contains a synthetic female hormone, 'Oxytocin', given in the intravenous (IV) form or intramuscular (IM) form that stimulates uterine muscles and increases the uterus' contractions. It also increases the production of a natural substance called prostaglandins (PGs), increasing contractions and hence inducing labour. As a result, these increased uterine contractions help deliver the child. 

Your doctor will give Oxytocin 5Iu Injection before childbirth or during labour pain. Do not self-administer. The most common side effects of Oxytocin 5Iu Injection are nausea, vomiting, and headache. Most of these side effects of Oxytocin 5Iu Injection do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.

If you ever had surgery on the uterus, cesarean or premature labour, please inform your doctor before taking Oxytocin 5Iu Injection to avoid complications. Also, mention all the other medications you are taking to affect how Oxytocin 5Iu Injection works. If you have been given prostaglandins, Oxytocin 5Iu Injection should not be given within 6 hours as both medications, if taken together, can increase the contractions. A Oxytocin 5Iu Injection should not be used for a prolonged time if the contractions do not improve, severe pre-eclamptic toxaemia (high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling), or blood or heart circulation problems.

Oxytocin 5Iu Injection contains a female hormone primarily used in inducing labour. It plays a major role in childbirth by increasing uterus contractions and inducing labour in pregnant women. In addition to this, it is also used to stop bleeding after delivery and manage a miscarriage in cesarean section. When given in the intravenous form, Oxytocin stimulates uterine muscles and increases the contractions in the uterus. Also, it increases the production of prostaglandins, which further increases contractions and hence induces labour. As a result, these increased uterine contractions help deliver the child.

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Skin rashes
• Fast heartbeat

Do not take Oxytocin 5Iu Injection if you are allergic to Oxytocin 5Iu Injection or any of its ingredients. Increasing the dose of Oxytocin 5Iu Injection can be harmful if your womb already has too strong contractions, any obstructions in the pathway that might prevent the delivery or if the baby is not receiving a sufficient oxygen supply. Also, the use of Oxytocin 5Iu Injection is not advisable if the baby is wrongly positioned in the birth canal, the baby’s head is too large to fit through the pelvis, the placenta lies near the neck of the womb, the placenta separates from the womb before birth, the womb is over-extended and likely to tear (in case you are carrying more than one baby). If you have been given prostaglandins, do not use Oxytocin 5Iu Injection with 6 hours; if taken together, it can increase the contractions. Oxytocin 5Iu Injection should not be used for a prolonged time if the contractions do not improve or if you have severe pre-eclamptic toxaemia (high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling) or blood or heart circulation problems. A professional should always administer Oxytocin 5Iu Injection at a hospital, do not practice self-administration. It should also not be given as a rapid injection into a vein as it might cause hypotension (low blood pressure) or suddenly increased heart rate.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Oxytocin 5Iu Injection interacts with Oxytocin 5Iu Injection, so it should be used with caution with anaesthetics (sevoflurane, halothane, cyclopropane, desflurane), other medicines used to start labour (prostaglandins), anti-diuretic hormone (vasopressin), a neurotransmitter (dopamine), anti-sickness medication (ondansetron), sympathomimetic agents (epinephrine).

Drug-Food Interactions: Alcoholic beverage intake should be avoided with Oxytocin 5Iu Injection as it may interact with Oxytocin 5Iu Injection to produce unpleasant side effects.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Oxytocin 5Iu Injection should not be given to patients with previous cesarean section, hypertension (high blood pressure), heart problem, cervical cancer, herpes infection, kidney problem if you are more than 40 weeks pregnant or are more than 35 years ago, the pelvis is too small for normal delivery.

• ONDANSETRON
• EPINEPHRINE
• DOPAMINE
• VASOPRESSIN
• PROSTAGLANDINS
• DESFLURANE
• CYCLOPROPANE
• HALOTHANE
• SEVOFLURANE

• Long walks can help to relieve stress, keep your body strong, and assist in easy delivery.
• Please take a little Castrol oil as it stimulates prostaglandin, which ripens the cervix and gets labour started.
• For some food like dates, raspberry tea leaves are known to ripen the cervix and get labour started.
• Acupressure also stimulates labour and helps in delivery.

• Oxytocin 5Iu Injection when given for induction of labour or stimulation of labour, it must be administered only by the intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) route under medical supervision in a hospital.

Labour induction: When artificially oxytocin is used to stimulate the uterus to contract, it is known as labour induction. There are various reasons for the induction of labour miscarriage, if the pregnancy lasts longer than 42 weeks, a cesarean section or if your water breaks out. Induction of labour is planned in advance, and your doctor will discuss all the advantages and disadvantages with you priorly.