MED-Oxytocin

Hormone

• Direct action on myofibrils, phasic contraction of uterine smooth muscle like normal delivery
• Also promotes milk "letdown" in nursing mothers.
• Effective in inducing labor and uterine contractions following delivery, thereby controlling postpartum hemorrhage.

Postpartum hemorrhage

• Hypersensitivity
• Prior to fetal delivery-administration prior to delivery can cause fetal hypoxia, asphyxia and dysrhythmias

Can cause over stimulation of uterus resulting in uturine rubture thus vitals and uterine tone should be monitored

• Hypotension
• Anxiety
• N/V
• Dysrhythmias
• HTN
• Seizures
• Dyspnea
• Coma in mother
• Intracranial bleeding

Can cause hypertension when used with vasoconstrictors

• Bolus: 3-10 Units OR
• Infusion: 10-20 units in 1000 mL NS via 60 gtts/mL set and titrate to effect