Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I given SYNTOCINON?
SYNTOCINON contains the active ingredient synthetic oxytocin. SYNTOCINON is used to bring on (induce) labour. It can also be used during and immediately after delivery to help the birth and to prevent or treat excessive bleeding.
2. What should I know before I am given SYNTOCINON?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to SYNTOCINON or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions or take any other medicines.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with SYNTOCINON and affect how it works.
4. How is SYNTOCINON given?
SYNTOCINON must only be given by a doctor or nurse.
5. Are there any side effects?
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or troubled breathing, headache, nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting, feeling drowsy and lethargic, pain in the abdomen that is different from labour pains, dizziness, light headedness or faintness, flushing of the face, chest pain, fast, slow or irregular heartbeat, excessive or continuous contractions, abnormal clotting or bleeding.
Active ingredient(s): synthetic oxytocin
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using SYNTOCINON. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using SYNTOCINON.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using SYNTOCINON?
SYNTOCINON contains the active ingredient synthetic oxytocin. SYNTOCINON is a man-made chemical that is identical to a natural hormone called oxytocin. It works by stimulating the muscles of the uterus (womb) to produce rhythmic contractions.
SYNTOCINON is used to bring on (induce) labour. It can also be used during and immediately after delivery to help the birth and to prevent or treat excessive bleeding.
SYNTOCINON is not suitable in all situations - for example, if the baby or placenta are in the wrong position or if you have had a previous caesarean section or other surgery involving the uterus. Your doctor can give you more information on the suitability of SYNTOCINON in your particular case.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why SYNTOCINON has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.
SYNTOCINON is only available with a doctor's prescription. It is not addictive.
2. What should I know before I use SYNTOCINON?
Warnings
You must not have SYNTOCINON if:
you are allergic to oxytocin (the active ingredient), latex or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
your doctor thinks that inducing or enhancing contractions for normal labour and vaginal delivery would be unsuitable for you or your baby
there are maternal or foetal reasons for caesarean delivery
you have been given medicines called prostaglandins within the past 6 hours
Check with your doctor if you:
have high blood pressure or any heart or kidney problems.
Your doctor may want to take extra precautions. For example, the amount of fluid you will be given may need to be reduced if you have a problem with your heart or kidneys.
are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
Your doctor will want to know if you are prone to allergies.
have, or have ever had, any of the following problems:
an abnormal electrical signal called "prolongation of the QT interval"
any other conditions that affect the heart
kidney problems
are taking any medicines that may affect your heart, or any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
have been given anaesthetics or medicines called prostaglandins.
If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell him/her before you have SYNTOCINON.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
4. How SYNTOCINON is given?
To bring on (induce) or maintain labour, SYNTOCINON is given by intravenous infusion (drip). The speed of the infusion is set to maintain a pattern of contractions similar to normal labour. During the infusion, both you and your baby will be closely monitored to prevent complications.
If SYNTOCINON is needed at delivery or to prevent excessive bleeding, it can also be given intramuscularly (into a muscle) or by slow intravenous injection directly into a vein.
5. Are there any side effects?
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are having SYNTOCINON.
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or nurse if you have any further questions about side effects.
Side effects
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
6. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What SYNTOCINON contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
Each ampoule contains 5 or 10 International Units (IU) of oxytocin.
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
sodium acetate trihydrate
glacial acetic acid
chlorobutanol hemihydrate
ethanol
water for injections
|
|
Potential allergens
|
N/A
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What SYNTOCINON looks like
SYNTOCINON 5 IU or 10 IU is available in a glass ampoule containing 1 mL of a clear, colourless solution; 5 ampoules in a cardboard carton. (AUST R 13395; 13383)
Who distributes SYNTOCINON
Viatris Pty Ltd
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
https://www.viatris.com/en
Phone: 1800 274 276
SYNTOCINON® is a Viatris company trade mark
This leaflet was prepared in July 2022.
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