There have been a number of inquiries concerning oxytocin nasal spray
(Syntocinon) that was removed from the market in March of 1995.   Syntocinon
Nasal Spray contained 40 units per ml of oxytocin.  From the dosage
recommended,  it appears that one spray in each nostril( = 1 drop each
nostril) would be roughtly equivalent to a total dose of about 1-3 units of
oxytocin( this is somewhat obscure).  This was administered several minutes
prior to nursing.  Remember,  the IV or IM dose is a thousand times less(
1-2 mU).   Oxytocin has a very short plasma half-life (1-6 min.) but this
decreases during pregnancy and lactation.

Although a large peptide,  oxytocin is modestly  absorbed from nasal,  as
well as buccal  mucosa( there used to be a buccal lozenge available).

Most current IV, IM  preparations still on the market contain  10 units of
oxytocin per cc (Syntocinon, Pitocin).

Now lets get this straight ....  I'm not recommending anyone use this
method!!!!!!!!!


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Tom Hale, Ph.D.
Texas Tech School of Medicine

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