Oxytocin (medication)
Oxytocin, sold under the brand name Pitocin among others, is a medication made from the peptide "oxytocin". As a medication, it is used to cause contraction of the uterus to start labor, increase the speed of labor, and to stop bleeding following delivery. For this purpose, it is given by injection either into a muscle or into a vein.
The use of oxytocin as a medication can result in excessive contraction of the uterus that can risk the health of the baby. Common side effects in the mother include nausea and a slow heart rate. Serious side effects include rupture of the uterus and with excessive dose, water intoxication. Allergic reactions including anaphylaxis may also occur.
Oxytocin was discovered in 1952. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. , the wholesale cost in the developing world is US$0.10 to 0.56 per dose.Oxytocin injection (synthetic) is contraindicated in any of these conditions:Oxytocin is relatively safe when used at recommended doses, and side effects are uncommon. These maternal events have been reported:Excessive 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.
Oxotoxin
Oxotoxins, or oxytoxins, are a group of neurotoxins present in the venom of lynx spiders belonging to the genus "Oxyopes", hence the name "oxytoxin". They are disulfide-rich peptides. Only two types are so far reported from two different species, the larger oxytoxin 1 (OxyTx1) from "Oxyopes kitabensis", and the smaller oxytoxin 2 (OxyTx2) from "Oxyopes lineatus". OxyTx1, the first known oxytoxin, was discovered in 2002. It was found to enhance the lethal efficacy of the spider venom by acting together with oxyopinins. It is composed of 69 amino acid residue, which are cross-linked by five disulfide bridges. It is a large peptide having a molecular mass of 8059.2 Da; but shows the size of 9,109.4 Da due to the presence of disulfide bridges. It is a potent insecticide, but non-toxic to mice up to 1 μg/20-g mouse. It acts synergistically with oxyopinins of the same venom to increase the insecticidal effect.