Description
Indications
- regular uterine contractions of at least 30 seconds duration at a rate of ≥4 per 30 minutes
- a cervical dilation of 1 to 3 cm (0-3 for nulliparas) and effacement of ≥50%
- a gestational age from 24 until 33 completed weeks
- a normal fetal heart rate
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Pharmacology
It binds to membrane bound oxytocin receptors on the myometrium and prevents oxytocin-stimulated increases in inositol triphosphate production. This ultimately prevents release of stored calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and subsequent opening of voltage gated calcium channels. This shutdown of cytosolic calcium increase prevents contractions of the uterine muscle, reducing the frequency of contractions and inducing uterine quiescence.Atosiban has more recently been found to act as a biased ligand at oxytocin receptors. It acts as an antagonist of Gq coupling, explaining the inhibition of the inositol triphosphate pathway thought to be responsible for the effect on uterine contraction, but acts as an agonist of Gi coupling. This agonism produces a pro-inflammatory effect in the human amnion, activating pro-inflammatory signal tranducer NF-κB. It is thought that this reduces atosiban’s effectiveness compared to agents which do not produce inflammation as inflammatory mediators are known to play a role in the induction of labour.
Dosage & Administration
Atosiban is administered intravenously in three successive stages: an initial bolus dose (6.75 mg), performed with Atosiban 6.75 mg/0.9 ml solution for injection, immediately followed by a continuous high dose infusion (loading infusion 300 micrograms/min) of Atosiban 37.5 mg/5 ml concentrate for solution for infusion during three hours, followed by a lower dose of Atosiban 37.5 mg/5 ml concentrate for solution for infusion (subsequent infusion 100 micrograms/min) up to 45 hours. The duration of the treatment should not exceed 48 hours. The total dose given during a full course of Atosiban therapy should preferably not exceed 330.75 mg of atosiban.Interaction
It is unlikely that atosiban is involved in cytochrome P450 mediated drug-drug interactions as in vitro investigations have shown that atosiban is not a substrate for the cytochrome P450 system, and does not inhibit the drug metabolising cytochrome P450 enzymes. Interaction studies have been performed with labetalol and betamethasone in healthy, female volunteers. No clinically relevant interaction was found between atosiban and bethamethasone or labetalol.Contraindications
Atosiban must not be used in the following conditions:- Gestational age below 24 or over 33 completed weeks
- Premature rupture of the membranes >30 weeks of gestation
- Abnormal foetal heart rate
- Antepartum uterine haemorrhage requiring immediate delivery
- Eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia requiring delivery
- Intrauterine foetal death
- Suspected intrauterine infection
- Placenta praevia
- Abruptio placenta
- Any other conditions of the mother or foetus, in which continuation of pregnancy is hazardous
Side Effects
Very common (affects more than 1 in 10 people): feeling sick (nausea).Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people): headache, feeling dizzy, hot flushes, being sick (vomiting), fast heartbeat, Low blood pressure. Signs may include feeling dizzy or light-headed, A reaction at the site where the injection was given, high blood sugar.
Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people): high temperature (fever), difficulty sleeping (insomnia), itching, rash.





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