Oxytocin: approved dosage
Not a recommendation, not treatment guidance. This page shows only the dosing in the official product information, with sources. The dose is always decided by the doctor who prescribes the medicine. Fimea warns against using injectable peptides bought online: Fimea warning.
Source of the dosing: Syntocinon (oxytocin) 5 IU/mL solution for injection, summary of product characteristics, Italy (AIFA), date of the text 3 May 2022 [1]official
Syntocinon (oxytocin) is a medicine used in hospital. The indications in the summary of product characteristics are medical induction of labour, selected cases of weak contractions, and bleeding after childbirth [1]official.
The dose is given in international units (IU), and for infusions in milliunits per minute (mIU/min). One 1 mL ampoule contains 5 IU of oxytocin [1]official.
Dosing in the product information
| Product and step | Indication | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Source and level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syntocinon (oxytocin), induction or augmentation of labour | Medical induction of labour and selected cases of weak contractions | Infusion into a vein, starting rate 1-4 mIU/min | The rate is raised gradually at intervals of at least 20 minutes, by no more than 1-2 mIU/min at a time; maximum rate 20 mIU/min | Until contractions are regular; if there are no regular contractions after 5 IU, the attempt is stopped | [1]official |
| Syntocinon (oxytocin), bleeding after childbirth | Bleeding after childbirth | 5 IU by infusion into a vein (starting rate 1-4 mIU/min) or 5-10 IU into a muscle | No repeat interval in the SmPC | Not stated in the SmPC | [1]official |
| Syntocinon (oxytocin), severe bleeding after childbirth | Severe cases where the uterus does not contract | Infusion into a vein containing 5-20 IU of oxytocin | At the rate needed to make the uterus contract | Not stated in the SmPC | [1]official |
Evidence levels: official = official product information · A = randomised human trial or meta-analysis · B = observational human study or case series · C = animal study · D = cell or laboratory study · E = not peer-reviewed
Notes
According to the summary of product characteristics, near term regular contractions are usually reached at less than 10 mIU/min. Contractions and the fetal heart rate are monitored throughout the infusion, and once contractions are regular the rate can be lowered [1]official.
For inducing labour, the summary of product characteristics says oxytocin is given only as a drip into a vein, never into a muscle, under the skin or as a quick injection into a vein. If induction fails, it can usually be repeated the next day at the same starting rate [1]official.
What points the other way or is uncertain
In a Cochrane review (9 trials, 2,391 women), a higher oxytocin dose for inducing labour did not increase vaginal births within 24 hours or reduce caesarean sections, but it increased uterine overstimulation [2]A.
In another Cochrane review, preventive oxytocin into a vein reduced bleeding of more than 500 mL after vaginal birth more than oxytocin into a muscle [3]A. The summary of product characteristics lists both routes for treating bleeding.
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Read the research yourself: sources
- Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco (AIFA). SYNTOCINON 5 U.I./ml soluzione iniettabile (ossitocina), Riassunto delle caratteristiche del prodotto. AIC 014684029, Alfasigma. Documento reso disponibile da AIFA il 03/05/2022. AIFA
- Budden A, Chen LJ, Henry A. High-dose versus low-dose oxytocin infusion regimens for induction of labour at term. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;2014(10):CD009701. PMID 25300173
- Oladapo OT, Okusanya BO, Abalos E, Gallos ID, Papadopoulou A. Intravenous versus intramuscular prophylactic oxytocin for the third stage of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;11(11):CD009332. PMID 33169839
- Hébert V, D'Souza R, Santesso N, et al. Prophylactic oxytocin dose following vaginal birth to prevent postpartum hemorrhage: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2026;234(2):350-389. PMID 41005452
The dosing is from the Italian summary of product characteristics of Syntocinon (oxytocin), published by the Italian medicines agency AIFA. The text for the product sold in Finland may differ. The document has no revision date, so the date is the one on which AIFA published it (3 May 2022). The document is in Italian; the translation is ours.
Content is general information about research, not medical advice. If you have symptoms, contact a healthcare professional.