Drug interactions
Dinoprostone + Oxytocin
Severity: Major
Dinoprostone and Oxytocin: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Dinoprostone and oxytocin both stimulate uterine contractions, and giving them close together can produce excessive uterine activity. This may lead to uterine tachysystole, fetal heart rate abnormalities, or uterine rupture, particularly in women with a previous uterine scar or high parity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dinoprostone and Oxytocin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Dinoprostone belongs to Endocrine; Oxytocin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic uterotonic effects, with prostaglandin-induced sensitization of the myometrium to oxytocin.
What to do
Allow an interval after removing dinoprostone (commonly at least 30 minutes for the vaginal insert, longer for gel per labeling) before starting oxytocin. Monitor uterine activity and fetal heart rate continuously.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Oxytocin
- Carboprost tromethamine + Oxytocin Major
- Ephedrine + Oxytocin Major
- Fexinidazole + Oxytocin Major
- Givinostat + Oxytocin Major
- Misoprostol + Oxytocin Major
- Oxytocin + Phenylephrine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dinoprostone with Oxytocin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Dinoprostone and Oxytocin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Dinoprostone and oxytocin both stimulate uterine contractions, and giving them close together can produce excessive uterine activity. This may lead to uterine tachysystole, fetal heart rate abnormalities, or uterine rupture, particularly in women with a previous uterine scar or high parity.
How serious is the interaction between Dinoprostone and Oxytocin?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Allow an interval after removing dinoprostone (commonly at least 30 minutes for the vaginal insert, longer for gel per labeling) before starting oxytocin. Monitor uterine activity and fetal heart rate continuously.
What other medicines interact with Oxytocin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxytocin with, for example, Carboprost tromethamine, Ephedrine, Fexinidazole. The full list is on the Oxytocin page.
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