oxytocic
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A drug that induces labor by stimulating contractions of the muscles of the uterus: An oxytocic is a pharmacological agent used in obstetrics to initiate or accelerate childbirth by causing the uterus to contract.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The doctor administered an oxytocic to help progress the stalled labor.
- Pitocin is a commonly used synthetic oxytocic in hospital deliveries.
Advanced Usage
- As a modifier: The term can be used adjectivally to describe drugs or effects.
- The medication has a strong oxytocic effect, so it must be used with caution.
Variants and Related Words
- Oxytocic agent: A more formal term for the same class of drugs.
- Oxytocin: The natural hormone that oxytocic drugs often mimic or contain. (Note: "Oxytocin" is the specific hormone, while "oxytocic" refers to any drug with this effect).
Synonyms
- Uterotonic: A broader term for any substance that causes uterine contractions, which may be used for purposes other than inducing labor (e.g., controlling postpartum bleeding).
- Ecbolic: An older, less common synonym for a drug that induces uterine contraction and expulsion of the fetus.
Notes on Meaning
- The term is specifically medical and clinical. It is not used in everyday conversation.
- Its primary and almost exclusive use is within the contexts of obstetrics, midwifery, and pharmacology.
Noun
- a drug that induces labor by stimulating contractions of the muscles of the uterus