Definition

Noun: A pharmaceutical substance that stimulates uterine muscle contractions, primarily used to induce or accelerate labor during childbirth.

Usage

An oxytocic drug is administered in clinical settings to initiate or augment uterine contractions. Its primary medical purpose is to facilitate childbirth when labor needs to be started or strengthened.

Examples

• The obstetrician administered an oxytocic drug to help progress the stalled labor.
• In some cases, an oxytocic drug is used to control postpartum bleeding by causing the uterus to contract.

Advanced Usage

• Therapeutic Use: Beyond inducing labor, oxytocic drugs are critical in managing the third stage of labor to prevent hemorrhage.
• Clinical Administration: These drugs are typically given via intravenous infusion or intramuscular injection under strict medical supervision to control dosage and monitor maternal and fetal response.

Variants and Related Words

• Oxytocic (adjective): Describing the property of stimulating uterine contractions.
  • Example: Pitocin has a strong oxytocic effect.
• Uterotonic (noun/adjective): A broader term for any agent that increases the tone and contractility of the uterus; often used synonymously with "oxytocic."

Synonyms

• Labor-inducing agent
• Uterotonic agent
• Parturifacient (a less common, more technical term)

Related Terms and Concepts

• Pitocin®: A common brand name for synthetic oxytocin, which is a primary example of an oxytocic drug.
• Induction of Labor: The medical procedure for which an oxytocic drug is a key tool.
• Postpartum Hemorrhage: A condition often treated with oxytocic drugs to promote uterine contraction and reduce bleeding.

Noun

1. a drug that induces labor by stimulating contractions of the muscles of the uterus