Oxytocin is also used in veterinary medicine to facilitate birth and to stimulate milk release. The tocolytic agent atosiban (Tractocile) acts as an antagonist of oxytocin receptors. It is registered in many countries for use in suppressing premature labor between 24 and 33 weeks of gestation. It has fewer side effects than drugs previously used for this purpose (such as ritodrine, salbutamol and terbutaline).Oxytocin has not been found to be useful for improving breastfeeding success. Contraindications
Oxytocin injection (synthetic) is contraindicated in any of these conditions:
Substantial cephalopelvic disproportion
Unfavorable fetal position or presentation (e.g., transverse lies) undeliverable without conversion before delivery
Obstetric emergencies where maternal or fetal risk-to-benefit ratio favors surgery
Fetal distress when delivery is not imminent
Umbilical cord prolapse
Uterine activity fails to progress adequately
Hyperactive or hypertonic uterus
Vaginal delivery is contraindicated (e.g., invasive cervical carcinoma, active genital herpes infection, total placenta previa, vasa previa, cord presentation or prolapse)
Uterine or cervical scarring from previous cesarean section or major cervical or uterine (e.g., transfundal) surgery
Unengaged fetal head
History of hypersensitivity to oxytocin or any ingredient in the formulation

Side effects
Oxytocin is relatively safe when used at recommended doses, and side effects are uncommon. These maternal events have been reported:
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Increased blood pressure
Cardiac arrhythmia including increased or decreased heart rate, and premature ventricular contraction
Impaired uterine blood flow
Pelvic hematoma
Afibrinogenemia
Anaphylaxis
Nausea and vomiting
Increase fetal blood flowExcessive dosage or long-term administration (over a period of 24 hours or longer) has been known to result in tetanic uterine contractions, uterine rupture, postpartum hemorrhage, and water intoxication, sometimes fatal.
Tolosa–Hunt syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by severe and unilateral headaches with orbital pain, along with weakness and paralysis (ophthalmoplegia) of certain eye muscles (extraocular palsies).In 2004, the International Headache Society provided a definition of the diagnostic criteria which included granuloma. Signs and symptoms
Symptoms are usually limited to one side of the head, and in most cases the individual affected will experience intense, sharp pain and paralysis of muscles around the eye. Symptoms may subside without medical intervention, yet recur without a noticeable pattern.In addition, affected individuals may experience paralysis of various facial nerves and drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis). Other signs include double vision, fever, chronic fatigue, vertigo or arthralgia. Occasionally the patient may present with a feeling of protrusion of one or both eyeballs (exophthalmos). Causes
The cause of Tolosa–Hunt syndrome is not known, but the disorder is thought to be, and often assumed to be, associated with inflammation of the areas behind the eyes (cavernous sinus and superior orbital fissure). Diagnosis
Tolosa–Hunt syndrome is usually diagnosed via exclusion, and as such a vast amount of laboratory tests are required to rule out other causes of the patients symptoms. These tests include a complete blood count, thyroid function tests and serum protein electrophoresis.