Peptide Encyclopedia / Oxytocin
EncyclopediaOxytocin is a nine-amino-acid pituitary neuropeptide hormone that drives uterine contraction and milk let-down and shapes social behavior. The FDA approved the injection, such as Pitocin, for labor and postpartum bleeding, while intranasal use stays investigational. Educational only, not medical advice.
| Category | Cognitive |
| Half-life | 1-6 minutes (commonly cited around |
| Regulatory status | FDA-approved as an injection (e. |
A nine-amino-acid posterior-pituitary neuropeptide hormone that binds oxytocin receptors to stimulate uterine smooth-muscle contraction and milk-ejection (let-down); it also has central roles in social/affiliative behavior.
Short; plasma half-life of roughly 1-6 minutes (commonly cited around 3-5 minutes).
FDA-approved as an injection (e.g., Pitocin) for initiation/improvement of uterine contractions during labor and for postpartum uterine bleeding control. Intranasal oxytocin for social/psychiatric uses is not FDA-approved and is investigational or compounded.
Injectable use can cause uterine hyperstimulation, hypotension/arrhythmias, water intoxication/hyponatremia with prolonged infusion, and fetal distress; must be used under medical supervision. Intranasal forms have a milder reported profile but limited long-term data.
Approved drug with decades of obstetric human evidence; behavioral/psychiatric applications remain investigational.
PepWise is an informational and educational tracking tool, not medical advice and not a medical device. Oxytocin may be experimental, restricted, or prescription-only; many research peptides are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol. Operated by STC Consulting, Inc.
