Atosiban

Atosiban is an oxytocin receptor antagonist. It acts by competitively binding to oxytocin receptors on the myometrium, thereby inhibiting the action of endogenous oxytocin. This blockade of oxytocin-mediated pathways leads to a reduction in the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions, resulting in myometrial relaxation. This mechanism allows for the postponement of premature labor.

Adult

Initially 6.75 mg over 1 minute by intravenous injection, then by intravenous infusion 18 mg/hour for 3 hours, then reduced to 6 mg/hour for up to 45 hours.

Max dose

Maximum duration of treatment is 48 hours

• Abnormal fetal heart rate
• Abruptio placenta
• Antepartum haemorrhage (requiring immediate delivery)
• Eclampsia
• Intra-uterine fetal death
• Intra-uterine infection
• Placenta praevia
• Premature rupture of membranes after 30 weeks’ gestation
• Severe pre-eclampsia