Oxytocin (intravenous route, intramuscular route)

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of oxytocin in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of oxytocin in geriatric patients.

Studies suggest that this medication may alter milk production or composition. If an alternative to this medication is not prescribed, you should monitor the infant for side effects and adequate milk intake.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Ephedrine

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bleeding problems (e.g., subarachnoid hemorrhage) or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)—May make these conditions worse.

• Cephalopelvic disproportion or
• Cervical cancer or
• Fetal distress or
• Grand multiparity (giving birth more than five times) or
• Major surgery on the cervix or uterus (e.g., caesarean delivery), history of or
• Overdistended uterus or
• Premature fetus or
• Problems with uterine contraction (e.g., uterine atony, strong uterine contractions) or
• Toxemia, severe or
• Unfavorable fetal position (e.g., transverse lies) or
• Other conditions that may require caesarean delivery (e.g., cord prolapse, total placenta previa, vasa previa, or during an emergency)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. Effects may be increased because of slower removal of this medicine from the body.

Rare

• Confusion
• convulsions (seizures)
• difficulty in breathing
• dizziness
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• headache (continuing or severe)
• hives
• pelvic or abdominal pain (severe)
• skin rash or itching
• vaginal bleeding (increased or continuing)
• weakness
• weight gain (rapid)

Incidence not known

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• blood clotting problem that causes prolonged bleeding
• chest pain or discomfort
• cough
• difficulty swallowing
• extra heartbeats
• fainting
• lightheadedness
• pounding or rapid pulse
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• severe bleeding after giving birth
• shortness of breath
• tightness in the chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• wheezing

Symptoms of overdose

• Restlessness
• shakiness
• sleepiness
• slow to respond
• slurred speech
• unconsciousness

Rare

• Nausea
• vomiting