Atosiban

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Atosiban SUN)

Atosiban_SW.svg

Atosiban is a medication used as a tocolytic to delay premature birth. It is a peptide and works by inhibiting the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. Atosiban is administered via intravenous infusion and is typically used in the management of preterm labor.

Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]

Atosiban functions as an oxytocin receptor antagonist. By blocking the action of oxytocin, it reduces uterine contractions, thereby delaying labor. This can be crucial in providing additional time for the administration of corticosteroids to enhance fetal lung maturity or for the transfer of the pregnant woman to a facility with a neonatal intensive care unit.

Indications[edit | edit source]

Atosiban is indicated for the treatment of preterm labor between 24 and 33 weeks of gestation. It is used when there are regular uterine contractions accompanied by cervical changes.

Administration[edit | edit source]

The medication is administered in three stages: 1. An initial bolus dose. 2. A continuous high-dose infusion for three hours. 3. A lower dose infusion for up to 45 hours.

The total duration of treatment should not exceed 48 hours.

Side Effects[edit | edit source]

Common side effects of atosiban include:

  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Injection site reactions

Serious side effects are rare but may include:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Cardiac issues in the fetus

Contraindications[edit | edit source]

Atosiban should not be used in cases where:

  • The fetus has a lethal congenital anomaly.
  • There is intrauterine infection.
  • The mother has severe preeclampsia or eclampsia.
  • There is significant vaginal bleeding.

Pharmacokinetics[edit | edit source]

Atosiban has a rapid onset of action, with uterine contractions typically decreasing within 10 minutes of administration. It has a half-life of approximately 1.7 hours and is metabolized primarily in the liver.

History[edit | edit source]

Atosiban was developed in the late 20th century and has been approved for use in several countries. It is marketed under various brand names, including Tractocile.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

CaptionSynonyms
Atosiban
Drug Information
Image
Identifiers





IUPAC Name

Chemical Data




WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD