Peptide LibraryOxytocin dosage in published studies and labels
These are the doses used for Oxytocin in FDA labelling and published clinical studies, reported as each source states them, one row per regimen. They describe what was studied or approved for a specific population. They are not a recommendation, and none of them is a dose for any individual.
Research and educational reference only. This is not medical advice, and no figure on this page is a dosing recommendation.
Last checked against primary sources:
Studied regimens and sources
Oxytocin has an FDA-approved human dosage only in obstetrics. The Pitocin label starts labor induction at 0.5–1 milliunits per minute by intravenous infusion, raised by 1–2 milliunits per minute every 30–60 minutes to the needed contraction pattern; after delivery it lists 10 units intramuscularly, or 10–40 units added to an intravenous infusion. Intranasal oxytocin has only been studied in trials, for example 16 IU a day in children with Prader-Willi syndrome.
| Human dosing established | Yes |
|---|---|
| Route | Intravenous infusion (approved) · Intramuscular (approved, postpartum) · Intranasal (trials only) |
| Frequency | Continuous infusion in labor; single injection postpartum |
| Duration studied | Peripartum only |
| Titration | Infusion rate raised in 1–2 mU/min steps every 30–60 minutes by uterine response; the label notes rates above 9–10 mU/min are rarely needed at term. |
| Evidence level | FDA Approved |
| Last reviewed | 2026-11-07 |
Research-reported dosing
Doses as studied, one row per regimen. Different trials used different regimens; they are listed separately rather than averaged.
| Study / context | Population | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Outcome studied | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDA label — Pitocin, induction or stimulation of laborFDA-approved label · FDA prescribing information | Pregnant patients with a medical indication for induction or stimulation of labor | Start at 0.5–1 mU/min, increase by 1–2 mU/min at 30–60 minute intervals (standard solution: 10 units in 1,000 mL, 10 mU/mL) | Intravenous infusion by pump | Continuous | During labor | Uterine contractions adequate for vaginal delivery | PITOCIN (oxytocin) injection — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed |
| FDA label — Pitocin, control of postpartum bleedingFDA-approved label · FDA prescribing information | Patients after delivery of the placenta | 10 units intramuscularly, or 10–40 units added to a running intravenous infusion (maximum 40 units per 1,000 mL) | Intramuscular or intravenous infusion | Once, or infusion adjusted to response | Postpartum | Uterine contraction and control of uterine atony | PITOCIN (oxytocin) injection — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed |
| NCT02629991 — intranasal oxytocin for hyperphagia in Prader-Willi syndrome, results postedClinical trial · Phase 2 placebo-controlled trial with posted results | Children and adolescents with Prader-Willi syndrome (n=23) | 16 IU a day (2 sprays per nostril, 4 IU per spray) | Intranasal | Daily | Per trial protocol | Hyperphagia | NCT02629991 — Oxytocin vs. Placebo for the Treatment Hyperphagia in Children and Adolescents With Prader-Willi Syndrome |
Where sources disagree
- Oxytocin is dosed in units, not milligrams, and the approved infusion is dosed per minute by uterine response. A milligram figure or a fixed daily dose does not describe the approved use.
- The label states Pitocin is not indicated for elective induction of labor, and every approved use is in obstetrics. Intranasal oxytocin for social, appetite or mood outcomes has only been studied in trials.