Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a nine-amino acid neuropeptide produced primarily in the hypothalamus. FDA-approved for labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage, it has also been studied for effects on social behavior, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders. It acts on oxytocin receptors in the brain and periphery.

PubMed results: 28,793 · Human studies: 13,909 · Animal studies: 25,444

Ranges reflect protocols studied in published research and animal-model extrapolation. Presented for research purposes only, not a recommendation or instruction for human use.

FDA-approved for labor induction only. Other uses off-label.

• Intravenous Infusion — standard range 0.5-2 mU/min, Continuous infusion
• Intranasal — standard range 20-40 IU, Single dose. Research use only for social/cognitive effects

10-15 minutes (IV), 3-5 hours (intranasal) (high confidence)

• Obstetric and perinatal physiology research (Strong clinical): Oxytocin is a nine-amino-acid hypothalamic neuropeptide with established clinical roles in labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage management; research continues on dosing paradigms and neonatal/breastfeeding outcome measures
• Social bonding and affiliative behavior research (Moderate clinical): Human and animal studies have examined oxytocin receptor signaling in social bonding, trust, and affiliative behavior paradigms, with mixed but substantial research literature
• Psychiatric and developmental research applications (Limited): Investigational trials have explored oxytocin in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, autism spectrum–related social cognition, and developmental disability early-intervention contexts, with heterogeneous results
• Epigenetic and neurobehavioral research (Limited): Research programs study oxytocin pathways in neonatal neurobehavior, epigenomic regulation of the oxytocin system, and early-life intervention models

• Uterine hyperstimulation and obstetric adverse effects (clinical use) — Serious, Uncommon. In obstetric clinical contexts, oxytocin exposure has been associated with excessive uterine activity, fetal distress risk, and related labor complications when not carefully monitored
• Nausea, headache, or water retention — Mild, Common. Clinical and research literature reports nausea, headache, and antidiuretic-like water retention as recognized adverse effects of exogenous oxytocin in various settings
• Intranasal administration local effects (research) — Mild, Common. Social and psychiatric research often uses intranasal oxytocin; nasal irritation and variable CNS delivery have been noted as practical limitations in trial methodology literature

• Situations where strong uterine contractions are undesirable (Established): Clinical labeling and obstetric practice exclude oxytocin when unripe cervix/unfavorable labor conditions, fetal distress patterns, or other obstetric contraindications make enhanced uterine activity unsafe
• Significant cardiovascular instability in research protocols (Clinical): Oxytocin can affect blood pressure and heart rate; many research and clinical protocols exclude or closely monitor subjects with unstable cardiovascular disease

Lyophilized (powder): Refrigerated (2-8°C), Up to 24 months. Light sensitive: yes, store dark

Reconstituted (solution): Refrigerated (2-8°C), 4-6 weeks or per pharmaceutical label for commercial preparations. Solvent: Bacteriostatic water or as supplied for pharmaceutical oxytocin products

• NCT01394471 — Oxytocin Treatment of Social Cognitive and Functional Deficits in Schizophrenia (PHASE1), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder
• NCT01497509 — Intrapartum Epidural Fentanyl and Breastfeeding in the Immediate Postpartum Period: a Randomized, Controlled, Double-blinded Study (NA), status: WITHDRAWN. Indications: Neonatal Neurobehavior, Breastfeeding Outcomes
• NCT04292444 — Effects of Oxytocin on Cognitive and Reactive Fear (PHASE1), status: UNKNOWN. Indications: Oxytocin
• NCT03853564 — Early Parenting Intervention: Bio-behavioral Outcomes in Infants With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NA), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Epigenomics, Developmental Disability, Early Intervention, Parent-Child Relations
• NCT07333209 — Scheduled Positioning With a Peanutball(SPP) on Labor Outcomes Among Primiparous Women Under Epidural Analgesia (NA), status: RECRUITING. Indications: Labor (Obstetrics)--Complications
• NCT01513499 — Effect of Intranasal Oxytocin on Appetite and Caloric Intake in Men and Women (EARLY_PHASE1), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Eating Behavior
• NCT01397630 — Accelerated Titration of Oxytocin for Nulliparous Patients With Labour Dystocia: ACTION Pilot Study (PHASE3), status: TERMINATED. Indications: Labour Dystocia
• NCT03432767 — Investigating the Association of Shock Index and Hemoglobin Variation With Postpartum Hemorrhage After Vaginal Deliveries, status: COMPLETED. Indications: Postpartum Hemorrhage
• NCT04747301 — DOuble-BAlloon Versus PROstaglandin E2 for Cervical Ripening in Low Risk Pregnancies (NA), status: UNKNOWN. Indications: Induction of Labor
• NCT06438081 — Comparison Between Propess and Cook Double-balloon Catheter for Cervical Priming (PHASE4), status: RECRUITING. Indications: Delivery Problem
• NCT03891628 — Modified ABC: A Home-based Parenting Program for Opioid-dependent Mothers and Their Infants (NA), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Opioid-Related Disorders, Parent-Child Relations, Infant Development, Parenting
• NCT02100956 — Efficacy of Intrathecal Oxytocin in Patients With Neuropathic Pain (PHASE2), status: TERMINATED. Indications: Neuropathic Pain
• NCT01733329 — Buccal Misoprostol During Cesarean Section for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage (PHASE4), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Postpartum Hemorrhage
• NCT02508402 — Effect Of Intra-muscular Administration of Dexamethasone in Induction of Labour (PHASE4), status: UNKNOWN. Indications: Medical Induction of Labor Affecting Fetus
• NCT04715737 — Differential Effects of Vasopressin and Oxytocin on Attention Control (NA), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Healthy
• NCT01462422 — Misoprostol for Secondary Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage at the Community Level in India (NA), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Postpartum Hemorrhage
• NCT04516902 — Effects of MDMA Co-administration on the Response to LSD in Healthy Subjects (PHASE1), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Healthy
• NCT03228901 — Oxytocin and Non-verbal Communication (PHASE2), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Social Interaction
• NCT04595812 — Methods to Reduce Blood Loss in Abdominal Myomectomy (PHASE4), status: UNKNOWN. Indications: Abdominal Myomectomy, Blood Loss
• NCT00914953 — Oxytocin and Social Behavior Over the Lifespan (EARLY_PHASE1), status: COMPLETED. Indications: Social Activity

Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2