Uterotonic

A uterotonic is an agent used to induce contraction or greater tonicity of the uterus. Uterotonics are used both to induce labor, and to reduce postpartum hemorrhage.

Some uterotonics act as analogues of oxytocin. An oxytocinergic, or oxytocic, means "having to do with oxytocin (OXT)". The Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR) is the binding and activation site of oxytocin.

Some agents may act as indirect oxytocinergics:

• 5-HT_1A Receptor (5-HT_1AR): A protein responsible for inducing the secretion of oxytocin.
• Serotonergic: A drug which acts upon serotonin and 5-HT_1AR, resulting in oxytocin release (e.g., MDMA ("Ecstasy").

Other uterotonics include Methylergonovine and Prostaglandin F2.

A tocolytic acts to oppose uterine contractility. These agents may be oxytocinergic in mechanism. For example, Atosiban works in this way.

See also

Look up Oxytocinergic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Atosiban
• Carbetocin
• Demoxytocin
• L-371,257
• Oxytocin
• WAY-267,464

References

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