Atosiban

USES:

This medicine is used to control premature labor between 24-33 weeks of pregnancy.

IUPAC name: (2S)-N-[(2S)-5-amino-1-[(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)amino]-1-oxopentan-2-yl]-1-[(4R,7S,10S,13S,16R)-7-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-13-[(2S)-butan-2-yl]-16-[(4-ethoxyphenyl)methyl]-10-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-6,9,12,15,18-pentaoxo-1,2-dithia-5,8,11,14,17-pentazacycloicosane-4-carbonyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide

Drug class: Oxytocin antagonist; tocolytic agent

Route of administration: Intravenous

 Is it a drug that needs a prescription? YES

Is it an OTC drug? NO

Mechanism of action

It works as a selective vasopressin/oxytocin receptor inhibitor. Thus it works by suppressing the uterine muscle contraction to stop/control preterm labor.

Side effects

Dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, hot flushes, hypotension, hyperglycemia, palpitation (increased heart rate), chest pain.

Contraindications

-In case of hypersensitivity, premature rupture of the membrane (more than 30 weeks of pregnancy) , abnormal fetal heart rate, antepartum uterine bleeding, eclampsia, fetal death, previa.

-It is not recommended to use before 24 weeks or after 30 weeks of pregnancy.

Precautions

Before taking this medication, take the following precautions and notify your doctor:

-If you are allergic to it or if you have other allergies,

-If you have a medical history of renal or hepatic disease.

-In case of multiple pregnancy or use of other uterine relaxants, risk of pulmonary edema will be increased with the use of atosiban.

– Use of this medication will depend on the fetal maturity assessment in case of intrauterine growth retardation.