Oxytocin

Question 1

Pharmacology and presentation of Oxytocin?

Answer 1

10units:1ml

Synthetic oxytocin is a uterine stimulant that causes uterine contractions by changing calcium concentrations within uterine muscle cells. Oxytocin administration during third stage of labour assists with placental separation, raises the tone of the uterine musculature and minimises further uterine blood loss.

Question 2

Indicators of Oxytocin?

Answer 2

• Active management of third stage labour
• Management of PPH.

Question 3

Contraindications of Oxytocin?
- USA

Answer 3

• Known allergy
• Undelivered foetuses
• Severe toxaemia (pre-eclampsia).

Question 4

Cautions of Oxytocin?

Answer 4

• Concurrent use with analgesia, including Methoxyflurane may potentiate hypotension
• Myocardial ischaemia.

Question 5

Side Effects of Oxytocin?
- Head up, down, out

Answer 5

• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Headache
• Bradycardia
• Tachycardia.

Question 6

Dosing Regimes of Oxytocin?

Answer 6

• 10iu/1m IM, repeat once at 5mins if bleeding continues in PPH to a max of 10mg in 3rd stage labour and 20mg in PPH
• Oxytocin infusion only if 2nd IM dose has NOT been given at 40IU in 500ml of Saline, infused over 4hrs at 125ml/hr

Question 7

Onset and duration of Oxytocin?

Answer 7

• Onset = 2–4 minutes
• Duration = 30–60 minutes