Pitocin (Oxytocin Injection) Drug Overview and Uses for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Pitocin

Eclampsia »

What Is Preeclampsia?

Also referred to as toxemia, preeclampsia is a condition that pregnant women can get. It is marked by high blood pressure accompanied with a high level of protein in the urine. Women with preeclampsia will often also have swelling in the feet, legs and hands. Preeclampsia, when present, usually appears during the second half of pregnancy, generally in the latter part of the second or in the third trimesters, although it can occur earlier.

What Is Eclampsia?

Eclampsia is the final and most severe phase of preeclampsia and occurs when preeclampsia is left untreated. In addition to the previously mentioned symptoms, women with eclampsia often have seizures. Eclampsia can cause coma and even death of the mother and baby and can occur before, during or after childbirth.

What Causes Preeclampsia and Eclampsia?

The exact causes of preeclampsia and eclampsia ar...

Read the Eclampsia article »

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Pitocin

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Pitocin®
(oxytocin) Injection, USP, Synthetic

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Pitocin (oxytocin injection, USP) is a sterile, clear, colorless aqueous solution of synthetic oxytocin, for intravenous infusion or intramuscular injection. Pitocin (oxytocin injection) is a nonapeptide found in pituitary extracts from mammals. It is standardized to contain 10 units of oxytocic hormone/mL and contains 0.5% Chlorobutanol, a chloroform derivative as a preservative, with the pH adjusted with acetic acid. Pitocin (oxytocin injection) may contain up to 16% of total impurities. The hormone is prepared synthetically to avoid possible contamination with vasopressin (ADH) and other small polypeptides with biologic activity. Pitocin (oxytocin injection) has the empirical formula C₄₆H₆₆N₁₂O₁₂S₂, (molecular weight 1007.19). The structural formula is as follows: