# Oxytocin

Oxytocin is FDA-approved as a hospital shot for labor and for bleeding after birth. The evidence grade is moderate-human for that use. No nasal spray is on the market as an approved drug, and a large trial of a spray in children with autism found no benefit.

Status checked: 2026-10-26. Last verified: 2026-10-26. Primary source: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018261

This page has not been individually reviewed by a clinician.

Information, not medical advice.

| Fact | Value | Tier | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Also called | Pitocin | primary | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad) |
| Class | other | primary | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad) |
| Regulatory status | fda-approved | primary | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018261) |
| Status source read | 2026-10-26 | primary | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018261) |
| Evidence grade | moderate-human | our assessment | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#evidence-grade) |
| Label dosing | From the Pitocin label. To start or strengthen labor, it is given only by drip into a vein, in a hospital, under close watch. It starts at 0.5 to 1 milliunit a minute. The rate rises by 1 to 2 milliunits a minute every 30 to 60 minutes until the contractions are right. To control bleeding after birth, 10 to 40 units go into a running drip, or 10 units are given as a shot into a muscle after the placenta comes out. The prescriber sets the dose. | primary | 2026-10-26 | [source](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad) |

## Name

Oxytocin

Source: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad

## Summary

A hormone sold as a prescription shot to start or strengthen labor and to control bleeding after birth.

Source: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad

## Short answer

Oxytocin is FDA-approved as a hospital shot for labor and for bleeding after birth. The evidence grade is moderate-human for that use. No nasal spray is on the market as an approved drug, and a large trial of a spray in children with autism found no benefit.

Source: https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#short-answer

## Known risks

- Too much oxytocin can make the womb contract too hard or too long. That can tear the womb and starve the baby of oxygen [^3].
- Oxytocin makes the body hold water. Long drips have caused water poisoning with seizures and coma, and deaths have been reported [^3] [^4]. A 2021 case report described it during labor, with brain symptoms and very low blood salt [^16].
- Some mothers given oxytocin drips in labor have died. The causes were very high blood pressure, bleeding in the brain or a torn womb [^3].
- In babies, the label lists a slow heart rate, jaundice, bleeding in the eye, seizures, brain damage and death [^3].
- Some oxytocin made by compounders was recalled. Some bags were too weak, and one batch was mixed wrong [^10] [^11].
- In five trials of nasal oxytocin in autism, nose discomfort, tiredness and irritability were the most common problems. They were not tied to the spray more than to a dummy spray [^15].

Source: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad

## What nobody knows yet

- Nobody knows if a nasal spray helps social skills in autism. The largest trial, of 290 children and teens, found no benefit over a dummy spray [^13].
- A 2026 review of 42 trials found no clear benefit in mental disorders overall. A small signal in schizophrenia is not settled [^14].
- The long-term risks of daily nasal use are unclear. The 2018 review of unwanted effects pooled only five small trials [^15].
- No study has checked if oxytocin causes cancer. No study has checked how it affects fertility either [^3].
- Mouse studies tie oxytocin to social memory. They do not show that a spray changes how people feel or act [^17].

Source: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad

## What it is

Oxytocin is a hormone the body makes. It is a small peptide, a chain of nine amino acids [^3] [^18]. It makes the womb contract, which is why it is used in labor [^3]. It is close in shape to vasopressin, a hormone that makes the body hold water [^3].

The approved drug is made in a lab. In a hospital, it is given by drip into a vein or as a shot into a muscle [^3] [^4]. The body clears it within minutes [^3].

Researchers also test oxytocin as a nasal spray, because it plays a part in emotions and social behavior [^18]. No nasal spray is sold as an approved drug in the US today [^5].

Source: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad

## Where it stands legally

Oxytocin is FDA-approved: Drugs@FDA lists Pitocin and a second oxytocin shot as approved prescription drugs [^1] [^2]. That approval covers a shot given in a hospital for labor and for bleeding after birth. It does not cover nasal sprays, or any use for mood, autism or relationships [^3] [^4]. Checked 26 October 2026.

The labels say oxytocin is not for elective induction, which means starting labor with no medical reason [^3] [^4]. The only nasal spray FDA approved, Syntocinon, is listed as discontinued [^5]. So no approved nasal spray is on the market today.

Pharmacies may compound with raw oxytocin, because it is part of FDA-approved drugs [^6] [^8]. FDA's list for outsourcing facilities names oxytocin among raw substances under review, and marks it as part of approved drugs [^8]. It is not on FDA's 503A category list of nominated raw substances [^7]. FDA's 503A bulks list is for raw substances that are not part of an approved drug [^6]. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. FDA has not reviewed them before sale [^9]. A pharmacy may not regularly make copies of a drug that is on the market [^9].

Source: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018261

## What the evidence shows

The evidence grade is moderate-human: many trials in women giving birth use oxytocin as the standard drug to prevent heavy bleeding [^12]. A 2018 Cochrane review pooled 140 trials with 88,947 women [^12]. It found three other options prevented more heavy bleeding than oxytocin alone. About 10.5% of women given oxytocin had heavy bleeding, against 7.2% given oxytocin with ergometrine [^12]. Most trials were hard to judge because they were poorly reported [^12].

Nasal oxytocin is a different story. In a 24-week trial of 290 children and teens with autism, the spray did no better than a dummy spray on social skills [^13] [^21]. A 2026 review of 42 trials in mental disorders found no clear benefit overall [^14]. It saw a small effect in schizophrenia, which needs more study [^14].

Much of the social story comes from animal work. In mice, oxytocin in one brain area was needed to recognize other mice [^17]. That does not show a spray changes how people feel or act.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29693726/

## Legitimate ways to get it

The legal way to get oxytocin is as a prescription drug given in a hospital. Pitocin and a second approved oxytocin shot are made for labor and for bleeding after birth [^1] [^2] [^3] [^4].

Pharmacies may compound oxytocin from raw powder, because it is part of approved drugs [^6] [^8]. A compounded product is not FDA-approved [^9]. A pharmacy may not regularly make copies of a drug that is on the market [^9].

Nasal oxytocin is being tested in trials. Recruiting US studies include veterans with PTSD and their partners, children with autism, and women caring for a family member with dementia [^18] [^19] [^20]. The trials block on this page lists open trials with their dates.

Source: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad

## How people are getting it anyway

This section describes what happens and is not a recommendation.

Oxytocin reaches some patients as products mixed by compounders rather than as approved vials [^10] [^11]. These include ready-to-use drip bags made for hospitals [^10]. In 2017, a compounder recalled such bags after tests found them weaker than expected. A weak bag could delay care in labor [^10]. In January 2024, FDA warned an outsourcing facility about mold and poor clean-room practice. It had recalled a batch of oxytocin with the wrong formula [^11]. Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and FDA does not review them before sale [^9].

No FDA page we found describes nasal oxytocin sold straight to consumers. So this page does not describe that channel.

Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/quva-pharma-inc-675685-01262024

## Access routes

Source: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018261

### Approved product

Detail: Approved by FDA and given with a prescription in a hospital, by drip into a vein or as a shot into a muscle.

Brand names: Pitocin

Manufacturer: Par Health USA

Indication: Starting or strengthening labor when there is a medical reason, helping empty the womb after an incomplete abortion, and controlling bleeding after birth.

Source: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad

### Lawful compounding

Detail: Pharmacies may compound with raw oxytocin because it is part of FDA-approved drugs. A compounded product is not FDA-approved.

Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503a-fdc-act

### Clinical trial

Detail: Trials of nasal oxytocin are recruiting in the US, for example in veterans with PTSD and their partners. The trials block lists open trials.

Source: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06194851

## Unofficial channels

Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/quva-pharma-inc-675685-01262024

### Compounding outside the rules

What it is: Oxytocin mixed by compounders, such as ready-to-use drip bags sold to hospitals.

Legal position: Outsourcing facilities must follow factory quality rules. A drug made in unclean conditions is adulterated, and shipping it breaks federal law. (source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/quva-pharma-inc-675685-01262024)

Documented risks:

- In 2017, a compounder recalled oxytocin drip bags made for hospitals after tests found them weaker than expected. (source: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pharmedium-services-llc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-all-unexpired-lots-oxytocin-compounded)
- FDA inspectors found mold on glove samples and poor clean-room practice at an outsourcing facility that had recalled an oxytocin batch with the wrong formula. (source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/quva-pharma-inc-675685-01262024)

Enforcement:

- 2024-01-26: FDA warning letter to an outsourcing facility for unclean conditions and quality failures. The letter notes its recall of an oxytocin batch with the wrong formula. (source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/quva-pharma-inc-675685-01262024)

Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/quva-pharma-inc-675685-01262024

## Recruiting trials

Snapshot date: 2026-10-26.

A listing is not a recommendation. Trials have strict eligibility rules. Talk to your doctor and read the official record.

- nct NCT07730294, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07730294, phase Phase 2, title Evaluating Intranasal Oxytocin (TNX-1900) for Pain Relief and Recovery After Pituitary Surgery, status not-yet-recruiting, sponsor Yale University, countries United States, us states Connecticut
- nct NCT07815496, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07815496, phase Not applicable, title The Effects of Oxytocin on Fairness Perception and Related Prosocial Behaviors, status recruiting, sponsor University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, countries China, us states none listed
- nct NCT06364228, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06364228, phase Phase 2, title Intranasal Oxytocin Intervention for Caregivers to Persons With Dementia, status recruiting, sponsor University of Nebraska, countries United States, us states Nebraska
- nct NCT07559656, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07559656, phase Not applicable, title Oxytocin's Effects on Real Time-fMRI Neurofeedback Training of Anterior Insula Activity, status recruiting, sponsor University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, countries China, us states none listed
- nct NCT07425938, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07425938, phase Not applicable, title Oxytocin's Effects on Emotional Processing and Its Acting Routes, status recruiting, sponsor University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, countries China, us states none listed
- nct NCT07367672, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07367672, phase Not applicable, title The Power of Belief: Expectation-driven and Placebo Modulation of Empathic Pain, status recruiting, sponsor University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, countries China, us states none listed
- nct NCT07162584, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07162584, phase Not applicable, title Oxytocin and Human Defensive Responses in a Dynamic Situation, status recruiting, sponsor University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, countries China, us states none listed
- nct NCT04789148, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04789148, phase Phase 1, title Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin in Patients With Arginine-vasopressin Deficiency, status recruiting, sponsor Elizabeth Austen Lawson, countries United States, us states Massachusetts
- nct NCT07265180, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07265180, phase Not applicable, title Oxytocin-Augmented Group Psychotherapy for Patients With Schizophrenia - an Oxytocin-dose Comparison, status recruiting, sponsor Charite University, Berlin, Germany, countries Germany, us states none listed
- nct NCT06808516, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06808516, phase Phase 2, title Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Sexual Well-Being in Patients With Arginine Vasopressin Deficiency and Healthy Controls, status recruiting, sponsor University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland, countries Switzerland, us states none listed
- nct NCT06676774, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06676774, phase Phase 2, title Effect of Intranasal Oxytocin on Emotion Recognition and Acute Psycho-Social Stress-induced Cortisol Increase in Patients With Central Diabetes Insipidus and Healthy Controls, status recruiting, sponsor University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland, countries Switzerland, us states none listed
- nct NCT06194851, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06194851, phase Phase 2, title Examining Intranasal Oxytocin Augmentation of Brief Couples Therapy for Veterans With PTSD, status recruiting, sponsor VA Office of Research and Development, countries United States, us states California
- nct NCT06222749, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06222749, phase Not applicable, title Oxytocin and Reward Processing in Women, status recruiting, sponsor International Research Training Group 2804, countries Germany, us states none listed
- nct NCT06248710, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06248710, phase Phase 2/Phase 3, title Dog Presence and Oxytocin on Trust Towards Therapists, status recruiting, sponsor Dr. Karin Hediger, countries Switzerland, us states none listed
- nct NCT07551882, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07551882, phase Phase 2, title Oxytocin Plus Self-compassion Training in Borderline Personality Disorder, status recruiting, sponsor Fundació Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, countries Spain, us states none listed
- nct NCT06036004, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06036004, phase Phase 2, title Oxytocin Substitution Therapy in Patients With Central Diabetes Insipidus, status recruiting, sponsor University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland, countries Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, us states none listed
- nct NCT05761860, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05761860, phase Early phase 1, title The Potential of Oxytocin to Reduce Opioid Abuse Liability and Pain Among Older Adults, status recruiting, sponsor University of Florida, countries United States, us states Florida
- nct NCT05754073, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05754073, phase Phase 2, title Oxytocin Effects on Bone in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, status recruiting, sponsor Elizabeth Austen Lawson, countries United States, us states Massachusetts, Virginia
- nct NCT05864508, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05864508, phase Phase 2, title Interest of Oxytocin as an Adjuvant Treatment of Psycho-educational Measures in Challenging Behaviors in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Moderate to Severe Intellectual Disability: Feasibility and Safety Study., status not-yet-recruiting, sponsor University Hospital, Toulouse, countries France, us states none listed
- nct NCT05664516, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05664516, phase Phase 2, title A Study of the Effects of Oxytocin in Adults With Binge-eating Disorder, status recruiting, sponsor Massachusetts General Hospital, countries United States, us states Massachusetts
- nct NCT04218409, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04218409, phase Early phase 1, title Opioid-Sparing and Pain-Reducing Properties of Syntocinon: A Dose-Effect Determination, status recruiting, sponsor University of Florida, countries United States, us states Florida
- nct NCT03860233, url https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03860233, phase Phase 1, title Benefits of Oxytocin in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) Patients Using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine, status recruiting, sponsor Vivek Jain, countries United States, us states District of Columbia

Source: https://clinicaltrials.gov/api/v2/studies?query.intr=intranasal+oxytocin&filter.overallStatus=RECRUITING%2CNOT_YET_RECRUITING&pageSize=50&sort=StartDate%3Adesc&countTotal=true&fields=NCTId%2CBriefTitle%2COverallStatus%2CPhase%2CLeadSponsorName%2CStartDate%2CLocationCountry%2CLocationState

## Sources

Source: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad

### 1. Drugs@FDA: Pitocin injection, application 018261

Type: regulatory

Tier: primary

Source: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018261

### 2. Drugs@FDA: oxytocin injection, application 018248

Type: regulatory

Tier: primary

Source: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018248

### 3. DailyMed: Pitocin (oxytocin injection) label, updated May 2026

Type: label

Tier: primary

Source: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad

### 4. DailyMed: oxytocin injection label, revised July 2023

Type: label

Tier: primary

Source: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c7fd585a-99b7-4309-b003-a6cbef05372c

### 5. Drugs@FDA: Syntocinon nasal solution, application 012285, discontinued

Type: regulatory

Tier: primary

Source: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=012285

### 6. FDA: bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A

Type: regulatory

Tier: primary

Source: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503a-fdc-act

### 7. FDA: 503A bulk drug substances category list, updated May 2026

Type: regulatory

Tier: primary

Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download

### 8. FDA: 503B bulk drug substances category list, updated March 2025

Type: regulatory

Tier: primary

Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/94164/download

### 9. FDA guidance: compounded drugs that are essentially copies, January 2018

Type: regulatory

Tier: primary

Source: https://www.fda.gov/media/98973/download

### 10. FDA-posted recall notice: compounded oxytocin drip bags weaker than labeled, 2017

Type: regulatory

Tier: primary

Source: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pharmedium-services-llc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-all-unexpired-lots-oxytocin-compounded

### 11. FDA warning letter to an outsourcing facility that recalled an oxytocin batch, 26 January 2024

Type: regulatory

Tier: primary

Source: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/quva-pharma-inc-675685-01262024

### 12. Cochrane network meta-analysis: drugs to prevent heavy bleeding after birth, 2018

Type: systematic-review

Tier: peer-reviewed

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29693726/

### 13. Randomized trial: nasal oxytocin in children and teens with autism, 2021

Type: rct

Tier: peer-reviewed

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34644471/

### 14. Meta-analysis: nasal oxytocin trials in mental disorders, 2026

Type: systematic-review

Tier: peer-reviewed

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42134427/

### 15. Review: unwanted effects of long-term nasal oxytocin in autism, 2018

Type: systematic-review

Tier: peer-reviewed

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29232031/

### 16. Case report: water intoxication during labor stimulated with oxytocin, 2021

Type: reference

Tier: peer-reviewed

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34379318/

### 17. Mouse study: oxytocin in the medial amygdala and social recognition, 2001

Type: animal

Tier: peer-reviewed

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11588199/

### 18. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06194851: nasal oxytocin with couples therapy for veterans with PTSD

Type: reference

Tier: primary

Source: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06194851

### 19. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05754073: nasal oxytocin and bone health in children with autism

Type: reference

Tier: primary

Source: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05754073

### 20. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06364228: nasal oxytocin for caregivers of persons with dementia

Type: reference

Tier: primary

Source: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06364228

### 21. Healio: oxytocin does not improve social functioning in children with autism, 2021

Type: reference

Tier: established-news

Source: https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20211014/oxytocin-does-not-improve-social-functioning-in-children-with-autism-study-finds

Last verified: 2026-10-26.

Sources:

- https://clinicaltrials.gov/api/v2/studies?query.intr=intranasal+oxytocin&filter.overallStatus=RECRUITING%2CNOT_YET_RECRUITING&pageSize=50&sort=StartDate%3Adesc&countTotal=true&fields=NCTId%2CBriefTitle%2COverallStatus%2CPhase%2CLeadSponsorName%2CStartDate%2CLocationCountry%2CLocationState
- https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad
- https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#evidence-grade
- https://peptideindex.ai/methodology#short-answer
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29693726/
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018261
- https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/quva-pharma-inc-675685-01262024

[^1]: Drugs@FDA: Pitocin injection, application 018261 https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018261
[^2]: Drugs@FDA: oxytocin injection, application 018248 https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018248
[^3]: DailyMed: Pitocin (oxytocin injection) label, updated May 2026 https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=6e5a66fc-e507-497c-b5ce-44a8c95898ad
[^4]: DailyMed: oxytocin injection label, revised July 2023 https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c7fd585a-99b7-4309-b003-a6cbef05372c
[^5]: Drugs@FDA: Syntocinon nasal solution, application 012285, discontinued https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=012285
[^6]: FDA: bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/bulk-drug-substances-used-compounding-under-section-503a-fdc-act
[^7]: FDA: 503A bulk drug substances category list, updated May 2026 https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download
[^8]: FDA: 503B bulk drug substances category list, updated March 2025 https://www.fda.gov/media/94164/download
[^9]: FDA guidance: compounded drugs that are essentially copies, January 2018 https://www.fda.gov/media/98973/download
[^10]: FDA-posted recall notice: compounded oxytocin drip bags weaker than labeled, 2017 https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/pharmedium-services-llc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-all-unexpired-lots-oxytocin-compounded
[^11]: FDA warning letter to an outsourcing facility that recalled an oxytocin batch, 26 January 2024 https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/quva-pharma-inc-675685-01262024
[^12]: Cochrane network meta-analysis: drugs to prevent heavy bleeding after birth, 2018 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29693726/
[^13]: Randomized trial: nasal oxytocin in children and teens with autism, 2021 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34644471/
[^14]: Meta-analysis: nasal oxytocin trials in mental disorders, 2026 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42134427/
[^15]: Review: unwanted effects of long-term nasal oxytocin in autism, 2018 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29232031/
[^16]: Case report: water intoxication during labor stimulated with oxytocin, 2021 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34379318/
[^17]: Mouse study: oxytocin in the medial amygdala and social recognition, 2001 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11588199/
[^18]: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06194851: nasal oxytocin with couples therapy for veterans with PTSD https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06194851
[^19]: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05754073: nasal oxytocin and bone health in children with autism https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05754073
[^20]: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06364228: nasal oxytocin for caregivers of persons with dementia https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06364228
[^21]: Healio: oxytocin does not improve social functioning in children with autism, 2021 https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20211014/oxytocin-does-not-improve-social-functioning-in-children-with-autism-study-finds