Oxytocin

What people use it for

• Inducing or strengthening labor (approved, hospital use)
• Reducing bleeding after birth (approved)
• Social connection, anxiety and autism (research, nasal spray)

What Oxytocin does in the body

Made in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary. It makes the uterus contract and triggers milk release. In the brain it acts on circuits involved in trust, bonding and stress.

Strength of evidence

Strong for obstetric uses; mixed and mostly disappointing for psychiatric and social uses in larger trials.

Look up the evidence

• Reviews on PubMed: Summaries of the published research
• Clinical trials on PubMed: Published studies in people
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Registered trials, past and ongoing
• Prescribing information (DailyMed, US): Official US label
• Patient leaflets (emc, UK): Official UK product information

Live searches of official databases. New to the terms? See the glossary.

Reported side effects & risks

• Excessive uterine contractions (obstetric use)
• Water retention and low sodium at high doses
• Headache, nausea (nasal use)

Who should avoid it or take extra care

• Pregnant (outside medical care it can trigger contractions)
• Heart rhythm problems
• Low blood sodium

Not a complete list. Check with a doctor or pharmacist about your own health and medicines.

Regulatory status

FDA-approved as an IV/IM injection for obstetric use in hospitals. Nasal sprays are not approved in the US.

How it's taken

Route: Drip or injection in hospital; nasal spray in research and unofficial use

How long it lasts (half-life): A few minutes