# Oxytocin

Pitocin · Syntocinon

https://graded.pl/en/substances/oxytocin · Checked: Not yet

Preliminary version. The editors have not finished checking this card, and grades may change.

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.

## 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.

## What studies show

| | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muscle mass | 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 | 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. |

## Studies we have read

- Intranasal Oxytocin for Obesity. (NEJM Evid 2024; Random groups, n=61) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38815173/
- A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial of Intranasal Oxytocin to Promote Weight Loss in Individuals With Hypothalamic Obesity. (J Endocr Soc 2023; Random groups, n=13) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37153702/
- Intranasal Oxytocin Improves Lean Muscle Mass and Lowers LDL Cholesterol in Older Adults with Sarcopenic Obesity: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. (J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021; Random groups, n=21) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34029521/

## Is it 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. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/article-57-product-data_en.xlsx (Checked: Not yet)
- EU: Approved medicine. No EU-wide approval. Separate national medicines in 28 countries of the European medicines database, EMA (9 October 2026). https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/other/article-57-product-data_en.xlsx (Checked: Not yet)
- US: Prescription only. Prescription medicine (oxytocin). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=018243 (Checked: Not yet)

## Doping

Not on the list, WADA 2026. https://zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nl/trb-2026-25.html

## How much research exists

- Scientific papers: 1231
- Studies with random groups: 445
- Registered studies in people: 289
- These are search results. A count shows how much exists, not how good the studies are. 1 Nov 2026.

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Open data: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/