Pitocin Side Effects, and Drug Interactions - Oxytocin Inj

Pitocin Side Effects, and Drug Interactions - Oxytocin Inj

SIDE EFFECTS

The following adverse reactions have been reported in the mother:

Anaphylactic reaction	Premature ventricular contractions
Postpartum hemorrhage	Pelvic hematoma
Cardiac arrhythmia	Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Fatal afibrinogenemia	Hypertensive episodes
Nausea	Rupture of the uterus
Vomiting

Excessive dosage or hypersensitivity to the drug may result in uterine hypertonicity, spasm, tetanic contraction, or rupture of the uterus.

The possibility of increased blood loss and afibrinogenemia should be kept in mind when administering the drug. Severe water intoxication with convulsions and coma has occurred, associated with a slow oxytocin infusion over a 24-hour Period. Maternal death due to oxytocin-induced water intoxication has been reported.

The following adverse reactions have been reported in the fetus or neonate:

Due to induced uterine motility: Bradycardia Premature ventricular contractions and other arrhythmias Permanent CNS or brain damage Fetal death Neonatal seizures have been reported with the use of Pitocin.

Due to use of oxytocin in the mother: Low Apgar scores at five minutes Neonatal jaundice Neonatal retinal hemorrhage

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Severe hypertension has been reported when oxytocin was given three to four hours following prophylactic administration of a vasoconstrictor in conjunction with caudal block anesthesia. Cyclopropane anesthesia may modify oxytocin’s cardiovascular effects, so as to produce unexpected results such as hypotension. Maternal sinus bradycardia with abnormal atrioventricular rhythms has also been noted when oxytocin was used concomitantly with cyclopropane anesthesia.