Oxytocin for breast-feeding
Examples
Generic Name oxytocin How It Works
Oxytocin causes the milk-producing glands and the milk ducts to contract and push milk toward the nipple.
Why It Is Used
Oxytocin is a naturally occurring hormone that a woman's body produces during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Oxytocin can be given as a nasal spray to assist breast-feeding women who are experiencing poor milk let-down during the first few days of breast-feeding. Although a commercial oxytocin nasal spray is no longer available, some pharmacists can create one for you.
The oxytocin nasal spray should not be used by pregnant women because it may cause uterine contractions and miscarriage.
How Well It Works
One spray into one or both nostrils 2 to 3 minutes before breast-feeding or pumping the breasts usually causes milk let-down.
Side Effects
Oxytocin may cause:
- Irritation of the inside of the nose.
- Uterine bleeding and/or contractions.
- Watering eyes.
- Headache.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Oxytocin is intended for temporary use only. It usually loses some of its effect after 2 to 3 days of use. By this time, let-down usually is well established.
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| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW | Last Updated: May 10, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Examples | |
| How It Works | |
| Why It Is Used | |
| How Well It Works | |
| Side Effects | |
| What To Think About | |