Oxytocin/ergometrine
Oxytocin/ergometrine is an obstetric combination drug. The components are synthetically produced oxytocin, a human hormone produced in the hypothalamus, and ergometrine, an alpha-adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonin 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 and to prevent postpartum hemorrhage by causing smooth muscle tissue in the blood vessel 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 before crowning of the baby's head
- Severe kidney disorders
- Severe liver disorders
- Severe heart disorders
- Vascular diseases
- Severe hypertension
- Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia
- Sepsis
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
- Mild heart disease
- Mild hypertension
- Porphyria
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
- Chest pain
- Fall in blood pressure
- Difficulty in breathing
- Circulatory shock
infusions.
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.
Some inhaled anaesthetics used for general anesthesia, such as cyclopropane and halothane, 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.