title: Oxytocin to induce labor.
abstract: Oxytocin is a highly successful and safe agent for inducing labor and has a fairly large therapeutic index. It has, however, minimal, but not trivial, antidiuretic and vascular activity when used in large doses. Therefore, to induce labor, low-dose oxytocin dosing regimens that produce efficacious uterine activity and avoid side effects are recommended. Oxytocin should be used in the lowest possible doses necessary to effect a clinical response. Diligence must be exercised when monitoring labor and fetal well-being. Hofbauer, the first to use oxytocin to induce labor, said in 1927 that oxytocin, "with its power of producing regular, rhythmical and forcible uterine contractions, should be regarded as a most beneficent and valuable agent, which, however, should always be employed with care and a realisation of its limitations and dangers." His words remain valid today.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Regional Medical Center, MO 63112, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Shyken
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Petrie
mesh_terms: D000075202:Contraindications; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007751:Labor, Induced; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin