Oxytocin
Pitocin · Syntocinon
A natural hormone and a medicine used in childbirth. Sprays for mood or social life are a research topic, not an approved use.
This site is for information and education only. It does not promote or encourage the use or purchase of the substances described and is not medical advice. Many are not authorised as medicines and their safety has not been established. We sell nothing and have no ties to sellers. For health decisions, consult a doctor.
- Type
- Hormone
- Stage
- Approved medicine
- Safety
- Well known
- Risk of fakes
- Not known
- Checked
- Not yet
Safety. Long hospital use in childbirth and a US drug label. That says nothing about sprays or injections sold for other purposes. Sources: US drug label.
Risk of fakes. We found no tests of products sold outside pharmacies.
Is it legal
| Where | Status | Checked | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PL | Approved medicine | Approved in Poland, including Oxytocin Grindeks and Oxytocin Richter (European medicines database, EMA, 9 October 2026). The database does not show whether a prescription is needed. Source | Not yet |
| EU | Approved medicine | No EU-wide approval. Separate national medicines in 28 countries of the European medicines database, EMA (9 October 2026). Source | Not yet |
| US | Prescription only | Prescription medicine (oxytocin). Source | Not yet |
How much research exists
Scientific papers per year 2015–2025
These are search results. A count shows how much exists, not how good the studies are. 1 Nov 2026.
What studies show
- CMuscle mass
Effect in studies. One small study with random groups, 21 older adults with obesity and weak muscles: body mass without fat rose by 2.25 kg against placebo in 8 weeks. Nobody has repeated it or tested healthy people.
- BFat loss
No effect in studies. In the largest study, 61 adults with obesity over 8 weeks, weight and body fat did not change more than on placebo. Two smaller studies in special groups found no weight loss either.
Reported side effects
What doctors, patients and companies reported to the US medicines agency (FDA), and single cases described in medical journals. A report says what happened to someone after taking the substance. It does not prove the substance caused it, and it does not say how often it happens. Reports do not change any grade.
Reports to the FDA (USA)
- Reports
- 3,293
- Of these, serious
- 2,921
| Most often reported | Reports |
|---|---|
| Baby born early | 216 |
| Low blood pressure | 208 |
| Heavy bleeding after birth | 195 |
| Early birth | 164 |
| Caesarean birth | 128 |
| Baby born underweight | 109 |
| Nausea | 109 |
| Shortness of breath | 97 |
Serious means the person went to hospital, their life was in danger, they were left with lasting harm, or they died. One report can list several side effects. Most of these reports come from medical treatment, often of people who are ill, not from use outside medicine.
Cases described in medical journals
FDA reports come from openFDA, cases from a PubMed search. The editors have not read these cases yet. Titles stay in the original language. As of 3 Nov 2026.
Studies we have read
| Studies | Kind of study | Who was studied | People | Duration | Dose as studied | Who paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intranasal Oxytocin for Obesity. | Random groups | Adults with obesity | 61 | 8 wk | 24 IU four times daily | Unknown |
| A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of Intranasal Oxytocin to Promote Weight Loss in Individuals With Hypothalamic Obesity. | Random groups | Hypothalamic obesity after brain tumours, crossover | 13 | 8 wk | – | Unknown |
| Intranasal Oxytocin Improves Lean Muscle Mass and Lowers LDL Cholesterol in Older Adults with Sarcopenic Obesity: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. | Random groups | Older adults with obesity and slow walking speed | 21 | 8 wk | 24 IU four times daily | Unknown |
More papers we found
We found these papers automatically in PubMed. The editors have not read them yet, and they do not affect any grade. Titles stay in the original language.
Short answers
- Does oxytocin work?
- A natural hormone and a medicine used in childbirth. Sprays for mood or social life are a research topic, not an approved use. Muscle mass: grade C, effect in studies. One small study with random groups, 21 older adults with obesity and weak muscles: body mass without fat rose by 2.25 kg against placebo in 8 weeks. Nobody has repeated it or tested healthy people. Fat loss: grade B, no effect in studies. In the largest study, 61 adults with obesity over 8 weeks, weight and body fat did not change more than on placebo. Two smaller studies in special groups found no weight loss either.
- Is Oxytocin legal?
- PL: Approved medicine. Approved in Poland, including Oxytocin Grindeks and Oxytocin Richter (European medicines database, EMA, 9 October 2026). The database does not show whether a prescription is needed. EU: Approved medicine. No EU-wide approval. Separate national medicines in 28 countries of the European medicines database, EMA (9 October 2026). US: Prescription only. Prescription medicine (oxytocin).
- Is oxytocin banned in sport?
- Not on the list, WADA 2026.
- Is Oxytocin safe?
- Well known. Long hospital use in childbirth and a US drug label. That says nothing about sprays or injections sold for other purposes.