Examples

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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