Oxytocin/ergometrine (trade name Syntometrine) is an

obstetric Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. As a medical specialty, obstetrics is combined with gynecology under the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), which is a surg ...

combination drug A combination drug or a fixed-dose combination (FDC) is a medicine that includes two or more active ingredients combined in a single dosage form. Terms like "combination drug" or "combination drug product" can be common shorthand for a FDC prod ...

. The components are synthetically produced oxytocin, a human hormone produced in the

hypothalamus The hypothalamus () is a part of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions. One of the most important functions is to link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. The hypothalamu ...

, and

ergometrine Ergometrine, also known as ergonovine and sold under the brand names Ergotrate, Ergostat, and Syntometrine among others, is a medication used to cause contractions of the uterus to treat heavy vaginal bleeding after childbirth. It can be used ei ...

, an alpha-adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonin (5-HT₂) receptor agonist. Both substances cause the uterus to contract. An injection of Syntometrine is given in the third stage of labor, just after the birth of the child to facilitate delivery of the

placenta The placenta is a temporary embryonic and later fetal organ that begins developing from the blastocyst shortly after implantation. It plays critical roles in facilitating nutrient, gas and waste exchange between the physically separate mate ...

NetDoctor.co.uk > Syntometrine
Last updated 15.9.2005 and to prevent

postpartum hemorrhage Postpartum bleeding or postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is often defined as the loss of more than 500 ml or 1,000 ml of blood following childbirth. Some have added the requirement that there also be signs or symptoms of low blood volume fo ...

by causing smooth muscle tissue in the

blood vessel The blood vessels are the components of the circulatory system that transport blood throughout the human body. These vessels transport blood cells, nutrients, and oxygen to the tissues of the body. They also take waste and carbon dioxide away ...

walls to narrow, thereby reducing blood flow.

Contraindications

Syntometrine should not be used in patients with: * Allergy to one or any of its ingredients * First stage of labor *

Second stage of labor Childbirth, also known as labour and delivery, is the ending of pregnancy where one or more babies exits the internal environment of the mother via vaginal delivery or caesarean section. In 2019, there were about 140.11 million births global ...

before crowning of the baby's head * Severe

kidney disorders The kidneys are two reddish-brown bean-shaped organs found in vertebrates. They are located on the left and right in the retroperitoneal space, and in adult humans are about in length. They receive blood from the paired renal arteries; bloo ...

* Severe liver disorders * Severe heart disorders *

Vascular disease Vascular disease is a class of diseases of the blood vessels – the arteries and veins of the circulatory system of the body. Vascular disease is a subgroup of cardiovascular disease. Disorders in this vast network of blood vessels can cause ...

s * Severe hypertension * Pre-eclampsia or

eclampsia Eclampsia is the onset of seizures (convulsions) in a woman with pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is one of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy that presents with three main features: new onset of high blood pressure, large amounts of protein in ...

Sepsis Sepsis, formerly known as septicemia (septicaemia in British English) or blood poisoning, is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. This initial stage is follo ...

It should be used with caution in patients with: * Decreased kidney function * Decreased liver function * Mild heart disease * Mild hypertension *

Porphyria Porphyria is a group of liver disorders in which substances called porphyrins build up in the body, negatively affecting the skin or nervous system. The types that affect the nervous system are also known as acute porphyria, as symptoms are ...

Side effects

Possible side effects include: * Nausea and vomiting * Abdominal pain, feeling different than labor pains * Headache * Dizziness * Skin rashes, itching or hives * Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts * Hypertension * Arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats) * Chest pain * Fall in blood pressure (causing dizziness and lightheadedness) * Difficulty in breathing *

Circulatory shock Shock is the state of insufficient blood flow to the Tissue (biology), tissues of the body as a result of problems with the circulatory system. Initial symptoms of shock may include weakness, fast heart rate, fast breathing, sweating, anxiety, a ...

A health care provider should be notified immediately if there are any side effects. They may be signs of allergy or of too much fluid associated with high doses or long infusions.The Better Health Channel website by the Victorian Government, Australia > Syntometrine(R)
This leaflet was prepared in March 2009

Drug interactions

Prostaglandins increase the effect of oxytocin and vice versa. The contractions should be carefully monitored if oxytocin is given after a prostaglandin dose. Syntometrine may enhance the blood pressure raising effect of

vasoconstrictors Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of the blood vessels resulting from contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels, in particular the large arteries and small arterioles. The process is the opposite of vasodilation, the widening of blood vessel ...

(medicines given to constrict the blood vessels). Some inhaled anaesthetics used for general anesthesia, such as cyclopropane and

halothane Halothane, sold under the brand name Fluothane among others, is a general anaesthetic. It can be used to induce or maintain anaesthesia. One of its benefits is that it does not increase the production of saliva, which can be particularly useful i ...

, may reduce the effect of oxytocin and ergometrine. There may also be an increased risk of a drop in blood pressure and abnormal heart beats if oxytocin is given with these general anesthetics.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Oxytocin ergometrine Obstetric drugs Combination drugs