Peptides / Sexual health and hormones

Natural peptide · 9 amino acids · 1,007.2 Da

Oxytocin

ApprovedNot banned in sport

Oxytocin is a natural hormone, approved in the US as Pitocin to start or strengthen labor and to control bleeding after birth. Many studies in people also tested it on brain activity, memory, social behavior and pain. PepBank shows 2,688 results on oxytocin from 753 studies in people, and 802 from animal and lab studies. The strongest evidence is a randomized trial in people. Data as of 2026-10-30.

Also known as OT, OXT, TNX-1900, TTA-121, Ocytocin, alpha-Hypophamine and 2 more

9 amino acids, from first to lastCYIQNCPLG

Evidence level: Large trials in people2,688 of 3,492 results come from studies in people, including randomized trials.

Results in people

2,688

77% of 3,492 results

Results in animals

544

16% of 3,492 results

Results in lab cells

258

7% of 3,492 results

From computer models

under 1% of 3,492 results

Overview

Key points

Oxytocin is a natural peptide hormone made of nine amino acids, with a ring held by a disulfide bond.¹
In randomized trials, intranasal oxytocin did not change a social withdrawal score more than placebo in children and teenagers with autism, and a single administration did not differ from placebo on any primary outcome in couples with alcohol use disorder and partner aggression.^2,3
FDA has approved oxytocin, sold as Pitocin and generics, to start or strengthen labor and to control bleeding after birth, while EMA medicines data list no centrally authorised product.^1,4,5
WADA does not name oxytocin on its 2026 Prohibited List.⁶

Oxytocin at a glance

What it is	Natural peptide, 9 amino acids
Approval	Approved in the US (Pitocin, 1980)
In sport	Not listed as banned by WADA
Studies	1,640 studies with results. 996 of them gave oxytocin, with 3,492 results. 2,688 in people544 in animals258 in lab cells2 from computer models
Best study in people	Randomized controlled trial with 290 people (2021)
Clinical trials	690 registered: 65 active or planned, 144 with posted results
Community use	Social anxiety and ease in social situations; Bonding, emotional well-being and general anxiety reduction; Libido and sexual support (reported by one database)

The science

What is oxytocin?

Oxytocin is a natural peptide hormone of the posterior pituitary, cut from a larger precursor protein called OXT.¹ Medicines use a synthetic form of this hormone, under brand names such as Pitocin and Syntocinon.^1,4

Other names include OT, alpha-Hypophamine and Ocytocin, and the codes TNX-1900 and TTA-121.¹ Par Health, also listed as PH Health, is named as the developer for Pitocin, and generic manufacturers make other oxytocin products.⁷

Amino acids in one ring-shaped chain¹

The history of oxytocin

1929
The oldest paper on oxytocin in PepBank is from 1929.⁸
1980November
FDA approved Pitocin under application NDA 018261, and the label says it is not indicated for elective induction of labor.^1,4
1998October
A trial of labor augmentation with oxytocin, sponsored by Göteborg University, lists a start in October 1998 and 2,072 people enrolled.⁹
2014July
An EU orphan designation was listed for oxytocin in Prader-Willi syndrome, which is not an approved use.^1,5
2014November
FDA gave an orphan designation for Prader-Willi syndrome, listed as OT4B, and no oxytocin product is approved for that use.⁴
2023April
A trial comparing oxytocin regimens for inducing and augmenting labor began in April 2023, sponsored by the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.¹⁰

Oxytocin structure and chemistry

The key facts about the molecule. Long codes are in the closed section below.

Sequence, 9 amino acidsFrom the first amino acid to the last

C1YIQN5CPLG

Darker means more water-repelling+ and − show charge in the bodyOutlined: changed amino acid

Structure

Oxytocin is a chain of nine amino acids with a ring closed by a disulfide bond between amino acids 1 and 6, and an amide group at the end of the chain.¹

Formula

C₄₃H₆₆N₁₂O₁₂S₂

Molecular weight

1,007.2 g/mol

CAS number

50-56-6

Targets

Oxytocin receptor (gene OXTR): agonistEvidence: approved-drug labelVasopressin V1a receptor (gene AVPR1A): agonistEvidence: proposedVasopressin V1b receptor (gene AVPR1B): weak agonistEvidence: proposed

Development

Multiple (Par Health / PH Health for Pitocin; generic manufacturers). Highest phase: past the trial stage (see status).

Identifiers

PubChem 439302, ChEMBL CHEMBL395429, UNII 1JQS135EYN, DrugBank DB00107, KEGG D00089, IUPHAR 2174, UniProt P01178, PDB 7OFG

Full sequence, SMILES and InChIKey

Three-letter sequence
H-Cys-Tyr-Ile-Gln-Asn-Cys-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (disulfide Cys1-Cys6)

InChIKey
XNOPRXBHLZRZKH-DSZYJQQASA-N

SMILES
CC[C@H](C)[C@H]1C(=O)N[C@H](C(=O)N[C@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CSSC[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@H](C(=O)N1)CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)N)C(=O)N3CCC[C@H]3C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)NCC(=O)N)CC(=O)N)CCC(=O)N

See charge, composition and 3D structure on the Scientific page

How does oxytocin work?

Step 1Oxytocin binds the oxytocin receptor and switches it on

Step 2The approved medicine is used to produce uterine contractions in labor and after birth^1,4,11

Oxytocin acts as an agonist at the oxytocin receptor, which means it switches that receptor on, and this link comes from the drug label.¹¹ Further links, an agonist at the vasopressin V1a receptor and a weak agonist at the vasopressin V1b receptor, are marked as proposed.^12,13

From the drug labelIn lab cells

In isolated toad bladder tissue, oxytocin produced a water response similar to 8-arginine vasotocin.¹⁴

The evidence

What oxytocin studies show

Results grouped by what the studies measured. Each card shows where its results come from.

Large trials in people2,688 of 3,492 results come from studies in people, including randomized trials.

Mood, stress and behavior

1,053 results · 1,017 in people · 36 animal

In men with autism, an oxytocin nasal spray did not clearly lower the social reciprocity score compared with placebo, and in healthy men, nasal oxytocin did not increase arousal ratings for faces.^15,16

Top results

In men with autism, an oxytocin nasal spray at 6 U/day did not clearly lower the social reciprocity score compared with placebo. (Brain, 2022)
In men with autism, oxytocin helped them use nonverbal cues in judgments more often than placebo did. (JAMA psychiatry, 2014)
In emergency patients with acute distress, nasal oxytocin did not lower PTSD symptom scores at 1.5 months more than placebo. (Biological psychiatry, 2017)

Memory and thinking

414 results · 403 in people · 11 animal

In healthy men, oxytocin did not make emotional distractions disturb a memory task more than placebo did, and in people with schizophrenia, oxytocin spray gave some improvement in perspective-taking compared with placebo.^17,18

Top results

In healthy men, oxytocin did not make emotional distractions disturb a memory task more than placebo did. (Psychopharmacology, 2017)
In young people with early psychosis, oxytocin spray did not improve social cognition more than placebo. (Schizophrenia bulletin, 2015)
In men with autism, oxytocin treatment had an overall effect on how strongly emotions in faces were rated. (Translational psychiatry, 2017)

Brain and nerves

434 results · 399 in people · 26 animal · 9 lab

In healthy people, oxytocin spray did not change overall brain reactivity to threatening faces compared with placebo, and in heterosexual men a single treatment made touch they believed came from a woman feel more pleasant than placebo did.^19,20

Top results

In healthy people, oxytocin spray did not change overall brain reactivity to threatening faces compared with placebo. (Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging, 2021)
In healthy people, oxytocin nasal spray did not change the sense of smell for lyral compared with placebo. (Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2015)
In men at rest, oxytocin nasal spray raised a heart-rate measure of calm-state activity in one time window, versus placebo (exploratory). (Journal of psychopharmacology, 2023)

Sexual and women's health

117 results · 88 in people · 24 animal · 5 lab

In postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy, oxytocin vaginal gel raised the number of superficial cells more than placebo, and in healthy men a single nasal treatment did not change time to ejaculation compared with no treatment.^21,22

Top results

In women with sexual dysfunction, sexual function scores rose after both oxytocin and placebo, with no significant difference between them. (Fertility and sterility, 2015)
In postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy, oxytocin vaginal gel raised the number of superficial vaginal cells more than placebo. (BMC women's health, 2020)
In women having ultrasound ablation for adenomyosis, oxytocin alone was linked to lower energy need than none; no test is given. (International journal of hyperthermia, 2021)

Pain

109 results · 85 in people · 24 animal

In adults after hip replacement, oxytocin given in the spinal fluid did not change pain compared with saline, and in women with uterine fibroids, pain scores were higher when oxytocin was added to the treatment than without it.^23,24

Top results

In adults after hip replacement, oxytocin given in the spinal fluid did not change pain compared with saline. (Pain, 2023)
In women with long-lasting constipation, nasal oxytocin gave a weak improvement in belly pain, and placebo gave none. (Neurogastroenterology and motility, 2005)
In women with uterine fibroids, pain scores were higher when oxytocin was added than with the same treatment without oxytocin. (Annals of palliative medicine, 2022)

Weight and appetite

117 results · 84 in people · 33 animal

In adults with obesity, oxytocin nasal spray did not change body weight at week 8 compared with placebo, though it was linked to eating fewer calories at a test meal.²⁵

Top results

In adults with obesity, an oxytocin infusion did not change how much people ate at a meal compared with saline. (Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2026)
In adults with obesity, oxytocin nasal spray did not change body weight more than placebo. (NEJM evidence, 2024)
In children with Prader-Willi syndrome, nasal oxytocin did not significantly change excessive hunger overall compared with placebo. (Clinical endocrinology, 2021)

This page leaves out studies about childbirth, such as labour, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

All 1,640 oxytocin studies by area Open the Scientific page

Key oxytocin studies

Studies in people come first, then studies in animals and in the lab.

People
Intranasal Oxytocin in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Sikich et al. 2021 · The New England journal of medicine · 290 people · cited by 211
3 results
People
A randomized controlled trial examining the effects of intranasal oxytocin on alcohol craving and intimate partner aggression among couples
Flanagan et al. 2022 · Journal of psychiatric research · 200 people · cited by 17
4 results
People
Oxytocinergic Modulation of Threat-Specific Amygdala Sensitization in Humans Is Critically Mediated by Serotonergic Mechanisms
Liu et al. 2021 · Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging · 121 people · cited by 17
2 results
People
Effect of a novel nasal oxytocin spray with enhanced bioavailability on autism: a randomized trial
Yamasue et al. 2022 · Brain : a journal of neurology · 109 people · cited by 44
4 results
People
Intranasal Oxytocin to Prevent Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Emergency Department Patients
van et al. 2017 · Biological psychiatry · 107 people · cited by 113
3 results

All 1,640 Oxytocin studies

Oxytocin clinical trials

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 690 trials of oxytocin. 65 are active or planned, and 144 have posted results. PepBank does not show trial results.

Solid bars are dates that happened. Hatched bars are planned dates. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Oxytocin Regimen to Prevent Atony and Postpartum Hemorrhage During Vaginal Delivery: 3-arm RCT

Phase 4completed1,798 people

Comparison of Low-dose and High-dose Oxytocin Regimens for Labor Augmentation

Phase 4completed1,003 people

Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Preventing Postpartum Haemorrhage After Elective Caesarean Section

Phase 3completed506 people

All 205 Oxytocin trials

Status and safety

Is oxytocin approved?

FDA

United States

Approved

Pitocin, since 1980.

EMA

European Union

Not approved

No approved medicine contains it.

WADA

Sport

Not banned

Not on the 2026 Prohibited List.

Yes. Approved in the US (Pitocin, 1980). The FDA label for Pitocin says: “Antepartum: medically indicated induction of labor, stimulation or reinforcement of labor, adjunctive therapy in incomplete or inevitable abortion” No central EU authorisation (EMA). Not listed as banned by WADA.

Laws and labels change, so check the regulator for the current status.

Oxytocin side effects and safety

PepBank has 157 safety results from studies of oxytocin. 152 of them come from studies in people.

Safety results from studies (157)

In people having hip replacement, oxytocin given in the spine did not change how long blood pressure stayed low, compared with placebo. (Journal of clinical anesthesia, 2023)
In adults with obesity, eight weeks of oxytocin did not change prolactin levels compared with placebo. (International journal of obesity, 2026)
In people with frontotemporal dementia, all 3 doses of oxytocin nasal spray were safe and well tolerated in this short trial. (Neurology, 2015)
In adults with alcohol use disorder, oxytocin was well tolerated, and side effects were mild and similar to placebo. (Alcohol, clinical & experimental research, 2026)
In children and teenagers with autism, side effects were similar with oxytocin nasal spray and with placebo. (The New England journal of medicine, 2021)
In couples with alcohol problems and partner aggression, one dose of oxytocin spray did not increase aggression. (Journal of psychiatric research, 2022)
In healthy men, oxytocin did not slow reaction times, while lorazepam did. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2020)
In women with adenomyosis, intravenous oxytocin caused no severe adverse reactions and vital signs stayed stable. (Journal of ultrasound in medicine, 2022)
In patients having a pregnancy-termination procedure, oxytocin did not change average blood pressure compared with placebo. (Hawai'i journal of health & social welfare, 2022)
In adults with autism, side effects were not significantly more common with oxytocin nasal spray than with placebo. (Molecular psychiatry, 2020)
In children aged 8-12, one dose of oxytocin nasal spray did not cause more side-effects overall than placebo. (Psychopharmacology, 2018)
In couples with alcohol use disorder, nasal oxytocin caused no different number of side effects than placebo. (The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 2025)
In older men, 4 weeks of oxytocin did not significantly change heart rate or blood pressure compared with placebo. (Psychopharmacology, 2021)
In adults after hip replacement, spinal oxytocin caused no side effects that the study linked to the drug. (Pain, 2023)
In children with autism, oxytocin nasal spray was well tolerated. (Molecular psychiatry, 2023)
In patients with adenomyosis treated with focused ultrasound, no side effects linked to oxytocin occurred. (European journal of radiology, 2014)
In adults with obesity, no serious side effects occurred in the trial. (NEJM evidence, 2024)
In young adults with autism, no severe side effects occurred with oxytocin. (Translational psychiatry, 2016)
In women with uterine fibroids, pain scores were higher when oxytocin was added than with the same treatment without oxytocin. (Annals of palliative medicine, 2022)
In infants with Prader-Willi syndrome, oxytocin was reported as well tolerated. (Orphanet journal of rare diseases, 2026)
In boys and teens with autism, oxytocin spray was well tolerated and caused no more side effects than placebo. (Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, 2015)
In men with methamphetamine use disorder, no serious side effects were reported with oxytocin. (Journal of substance abuse treatment, 2020)
In children with autism, no side effects of oxytocin spray were reported. (Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, 2022)
In older adults, no significant side effects were reported during 10 days of oxytocin through the nose. (Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 2013)

See every safety result on the Scientific page

Doses studied (40 shown)

The doses that these studies used. They are not recommendations.

Dose as reported	Class	Species	Route	Duration	Design	Source
48 international units daily (total target dose)	Human	human	intranasal	24 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 277	Sikich 2021
40 international units	Human	human	intranasal	single dose	Randomized trial in people · n = 200	Flanagan 2022
6 U/day	Human	human	intranasal	4 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 109	Yamasue 2022
40 IU twice daily	Human	human	intranasal	8 days	Randomized trial in people · n = 107	van 2017
48 IU/day	Human	human	intranasal	6 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 106	Owada 2019
48 IU/day	Human	human	intranasal	6 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 103	Yamasue 2020
up to 70 IU/day	Human	human	intranasal	12 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 100	Tiouririne 2026
40 IU	Human	human	intranasal	12 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 96	Flanagan 2025
100 μg	Human	human	intrathecal	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 90	Eisenach 2023
100 μg	Human	human	intrathecal	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 90	Henshaw 2023
24 IU	Human	human	intranasal	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 78	Tollenaar 2017
20 or 40 IU	Human	human	intranasal	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 65	Kirkpatrick 2014
24 IU four times daily	Human	human	intranasal	8 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 61	Plessow 2024
18 IU twice per day	Human	human	intranasal	4 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 61	Maguire 2024
24 IU four times daily	Human	human	intranasal	eight weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 61	Galbiati 2026
30 units in 1000 ml normal saline at 15 units/hour	Human	human	infusion	during surgery	Randomized trial in people · n = 60	Ahmed 2020
24 IU twice daily, plus an additional dose before each weekly session	Human	human	intranasal	6 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 52	Cacciotti-Saija 2015
4 IU/day	Human	human	intranasal	4 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 52	Tauber 2026
18 or 24 IU twice daily	Human	human	intranasal	8 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 50	Guastella 2015
40 IU	Human	human	intranasal	six weekly sessions	Randomized trial in people · n = 48	Stauffer 2020
24 IU	Human	human	intranasal	single dose	Randomized trial in people · n = 40	Watanabe 2014
20 IU twice daily in week 1, then 40 IU twice daily	Human	human	intranasal	8 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 40	Modabbernia 2013
24 International Units once daily	Human	human	intranasal	4 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 40	Bernaerts 2020
24 IU twice daily	Human	human	intranasal	three days	Randomized trial in people · n = 40	Melby 2019
8 IU up to thrice daily	Human	human	intranasal	4 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 38	Melby 2021
24 International Units, twice daily	Human	human	intranasal	4 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 32	Parker 2017
12 IU twice daily (24 IU per day)	Human	human	intranasal	5 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 31	Yatawara 2016
32 IU	Human	human	intranasal	8 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 30	Muin 2015
24 IU	Human	human	intranasal	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 24	Vetter 2025
0.2 international units/min	Human	human	intravenous	4.5 hours	Randomized trial in people · n = 24	Gether 2026
24, 48 or 72 IU twice daily	Human	human	intranasal	1 week	Randomized trial in people · n = 23	Finger 2015
8 IU and 24 IU	Human	human	intranasal	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 17	Quintana 2017
8 IU	Human	human	intranasal	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 17	Quintana 2017
24 IU	Human	human	intranasal	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 17	Quintana 2017
100 µg	Human	human	intrathecal	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 5	Eisenach 2023
72 IU every third day	Human	human	intranasal	6 weeks	Randomized trial in people	Coleman 2025
24 IU	Human	human	intranasal	single dose	Randomized trial in people	Sabino 2020
10 IU in 500 ml saline at 120 ml/h	Human	human	intravenous	during the operation	Randomized trial in people	Aslan 2019
3-20 U/day	Human	human	intranasal	4 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 109	Yamasue 2022
12 IU twice daily	Human	human	intranasal	4 weeks	Randomized trial in people · n = 77	Daniels 2023

From the community

How people use it

What people report online. It comes from forums and guides, not from studies.

Community-reported. Not tested in trials.

This record is about intranasal use outside medicine, not hospital use in labour. Community sources report that some people use oxytocin nasal spray for social ease, mood and bonding, at about 10 to 40 IU per use, often the 24 IU used in trials. The US hospital product (Pitocin) is an injection for labour and after birth. A wiki says no nasal product is FDA-approved for behavioural use.

Reported routines and cautions

What people use it for

Social anxiety and ease in social situationsS2
Bonding, emotional well-being and general anxiety reductionS2
Libido and sexual support (reported by one database)S3

Reported regimens

Regimens that community sources report for Oxytocin (non-prescription intranasal use). Community-reported, not tested in trials.
Context	Route	Amount	How often	How long	Agreement	Sources
For contrast: the US hospital label (Pitocin), to start labour. This is not the community use.Official label dosing of an approved product	intravenous infusion (also intramuscular injection) in hospitalThe label does not cover nasal or sublingual use.	0.5 to 1 mU/min per initial infusion rate	rate raised in steps of 1 to 2 mU/min at 30 to 60 minute intervals until the desired contraction pattern is reached	during labour	single source (official label)	S1
Social situations, mood and bonding	intranasal sprayA wiki says products are compounded or research-grade, and dose consistency varies. No non-seller source gives IU per spray. S6 does not name the route.	20 to 40 IU per dose	once daily or as needed, for example before a social situation	ongoing or situational	sources differ: S2 gives 20 to 40 IU and S3 gives 20 to 24 IU; S6 is one comment about 24 IU. S2 carries seller links, and S2 and S3 may copy each other.	S2S3 S6
Lower daily dose, reported as enough for anxiety reduction by some users	intranasal spray	10 to 20 IU per dose	once daily	2 to 4 weeks	single source: a wiki that carries seller rankings	S2
Sublingual troches from compounding pharmacies (niche)	sublingualS2 says users of this form are those with physician-prescribed protocols.	10 to 100 IU per dose	1 to 2 times daily (S2)	ongoing (S2)	sources differ: 10 to 40 IU in S2 and 50 to 100 IU in S3. S2 carries seller links, and S2 and S3 may copy each other.	S2S3

Reported side effects

mild headache, nasal irritation, nausea or vomiting, short blood pressure changesS3
oversensitivity to other people's emotions in healthy young adults (a lab study of 82 people given measured doses)S5
no noticeable effect at 24 IU (one forum comment)S6

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

less social anxiety and more bonding (the effects users look for)S2

Cautions

Dose strength depends on the product. Products can be compounded or research-grade, and dosing consistency varies by source. Oxytocin is a fragile peptide that degrades with heat and light.S2
The hospital label warns that oxytocin has an antidiuretic effect and that severe water intoxication with convulsions and coma has occurred, linked to slow infusion over 24 hours. That label is for infusion in labour, not for nasal use.S1
A 2015 study of 41 adults who used oxytocin outside medical use (found by an online survey) says the long-term consequences of oxytocin use are not known.S4
A lab study in 82 healthy young adults found that oxytocin raised oversensitivity to others' emotions, and its authors argued against off-label use for mild social unease.S5
S3 lists pregnancy (without medical supervision) and active sinus infection among the contraindications for intranasal use.S3

Status notes

The Pitocin label covers injection for labour and after birth. It does not list nasal or sublingual use. A community wiki says no intranasal form is FDA-approved for behavioral use and that hundreds of trials gave mixed results.S1S2

Community sources

S1PITOCIN (oxytocin) injection - prescribing information (opens in a new tab)dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
S2Oxytocin: Community Protocols & Reportspeptideprotocolwiki.comcarries seller links, not linked
S3Oxytocin (Pitocin) (opens in a new tab)peptide-db.com
S4Off-label intranasal oxytocin use in adults is associated with increased amygdala-cingulate resting-state connectivity (abstract) (opens in a new tab)cambridge.org
S5'Love hormone' oxytocin carries unexpected side effect (opens in a new tab)sciencedaily.com
S6Comment on 'How I Learned That I Don't Feel Companionate Love' (opens in a new tab)greaterwrong.com (LessWrong)

Gaps

No first-hand forum thread with several users was found; S6 is a single comment that does not name the route. The two wikis (S2, S3) are compilations, S2 carries seller links, and sublingual amounts differ between them. S4 was read as an abstract only and gives no amounts. The spray strength (IU per spray) is not stated in any non-seller source, so IU doses cannot be turned into sprays; a compounding pharmacy page that gave sprays was removed as a seller page. The wiki's own source list cites Reddit, which was not used. S3 (peptide-db.com) lists IM and IV forms for clinical use only.

Questions and more

Common questions

Is oxytocin the same as Pitocin?

Yes, Pitocin is a brand name for synthetic oxytocin injection.¹ The Pitocin label and PubChem agree on the molecular formula of oxytocin.¹ Syntocinon is another brand name, and FDA lists its injection and its nasal solution as discontinued.^1,4 Other companies, including generic makers, also make approved oxytocin injection.^4,7 See if oxytocin is approved

What benefits do studies report for oxytocin?

Outside its approved uses in labor and bleeding after birth, results in people are mixed.^4,26,27 In 60 women having fibroid surgery, an oxytocin drip led to less blood loss than a saline drip.²⁶ In 94 women having myomectomy, oxytocin did not reduce blood loss during surgery compared with placebo.²⁷ See what oxytocin studies show

Is oxytocin safe?

It is not known what long-term use outside medical care does.²⁸ In 100 adults with alcohol use disorder, oxytocin side effects were mild and similar to placebo.²⁹ In 128 healthy men, one administration of oxytocin did not slow reaction times, unlike lorazepam.³⁰ See oxytocin side effects and safety

What results did people see in oxytocin studies?

In 25 fasting healthy men, a single nasal administration of oxytocin improved insulin sensitivity compared with placebo.³¹ In 61 women hospitalised with anorexia nervosa, oxytocin spray did not change eating disorder symptoms more than placebo.³² PepBank lists 2,688 results from 753 studies in people.⁸ See what oxytocin studies show

What do users report about oxytocin?

Users look for less social anxiety and more bonding.²⁸ They also report mild headache, nasal irritation, nausea or vomiting and short blood pressure changes.²⁸ These are reports from forums and guides, and they are not tested in trials.²⁸ A lab study of 82 healthy young adults found that oxytocin raised oversensitivity to the emotions of others.²⁸ See how people use it

Ask a question about oxytocin

The answer links to every study it uses.

What does the evidence say about oxytocin?Is oxytocin tested in people?Compare with Kisspeptin-10 Compare with Melanotan I (afamelanotide)

Sources

Database: PepBank profile: identity and structure (PubChem CID 439302; PubChem synonyms CID 439302; GSRS Oxytocin)
People: Sikich et al., 2021, The New England journal of medicine (PMID 34644471)
People: Flanagan et al., 2022, Journal of psychiatric research (PMID 35709548)
Regulator: FDA (United States) status record, as of 2026-10-08
Regulator: EMA (European Union) status record, as of 2026-10-08
Regulator: WADA Prohibited List 2026
Database: Development record
Database: PepBank data for Oxytocin (data version 308541)
Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01263158: Labour Augmentation by Means of Oxytocin - Obstetric Outcome and Women's Experiences
Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05782816: Low-Dose Versus High-Dose Oxytocin Dosing for Induction and Augmentation of Labor
Database: Target record: Oxytocin receptor (OXTR)
Database: Target record: Vasopressin V1a receptor (AVPR1A)
Database: Target record: Vasopressin V1b receptor (AVPR1B)
Lab cells: Eggena et al., 1984, Endocrinology (PMID 06437792)
People: Yamasue et al., 2022, Brain (PMID 35067719)
People: Kou et al., 2021, Translational psychiatry (PMID 33542175)
People: Tollenaar et al., 2017, Psychopharmacology (PMID 28913643)
People: Halverson et al., 2019, Schizophrenia research (PMID 30243853)
People: Liu et al., 2021, Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging (PMID 33894423)
People: Scheele et al., 2014, Neuropsychopharmacology (PMID 24694924)
People: Zohrabi et al., 2020, BMC women's health (PMID 32429977)
People: Walch et al., 2001, Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics (PMID 11808847)
People: Eisenach et al., 2023, Pain (PMID 36448974)
People: Zhang et al., 2022, Annals of palliative medicine (PMID 35817738)
People: Plessow et al., 2024, NEJM evidence (PMID 38815173)
People: Ahmed et al., 2020, JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMID 32810088)
People: Agostini et al., 2005, European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology (PMID 15653210)
Community: Community sources (forums and guides), as summarized in the PepBank community file
People: Tiouririne et al., 2026, Alcohol, clinical & experimental research (PMID 42458234)
People: Kreuder et al., 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PMID 32385158)
People: Lawson et al., 2015, Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) (PMID 25865294)
People: Maguire et al., 2024, Psychoneuroendocrinology (PMID 38520886)

AI wrote this page from the sources above. AI can make mistakes, so check important facts against the source.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.

Ask your AI about oxytocin

Oxytocin

ApprovedNot banned in sport

Also known as OT, OXT, TNX-1900, TTA-121, Ocytocin, alpha-Hypophamine and 2 more

What it is

Natural peptide, 9 amino acids

Approval

Approved in the US (Pitocin, 1980)

In sport

Not listed as banned by WADA

Studies

1,640 studies with results. 996 of them gave oxytocin, with 3,492 results.
2,688 in people544 in animals258 in lab cells2 from computer models

Best study in people

Randomized controlled trial with 290 people (2021)

Clinical trials

690 registered: 65 active or planned, 144 with posted results

Community use

Social anxiety and ease in social situations; Bonding, emotional well-being and general anxiety reduction; Libido and sexual support (reported by one database)

Dose as reported

Class

Species

Route

Duration

Design

Source

48 international units daily (total target dose)

Human

human

intranasal

24 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 277

Sikich 2021

40 international units

Human

human

intranasal

single dose

Randomized trial in people · n = 200

Flanagan 2022

6 U/day

Human

human

intranasal

4 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 109

Yamasue 2022

40 IU twice daily

Human

human

intranasal

8 days

Randomized trial in people · n = 107

van 2017

48 IU/day

Human

human

intranasal

6 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 106

Owada 2019

48 IU/day

Human

human

intranasal

6 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 103

Yamasue 2020

up to 70 IU/day

Human

human

intranasal

12 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 100

Tiouririne 2026

40 IU

Human

human

intranasal

12 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 96

Flanagan 2025

100 μg

Human

human

intrathecal

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 90

Eisenach 2023

100 μg

Human

human

intrathecal

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 90

Henshaw 2023

24 IU

Human

human

intranasal

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 78

Tollenaar 2017

20 or 40 IU

Human

human

intranasal

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 65

Kirkpatrick 2014

24 IU four times daily

Human

human

intranasal

8 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 61

Plessow 2024

18 IU twice per day

Human

human

intranasal

4 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 61

Maguire 2024

24 IU four times daily

Human

human

intranasal

eight weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 61

Galbiati 2026

30 units in 1000 ml normal saline at 15 units/hour

Human

human

infusion

during surgery

Randomized trial in people · n = 60

Ahmed 2020

24 IU twice daily, plus an additional dose before each weekly session

Human

human

intranasal

6 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 52

Cacciotti-Saija 2015

4 IU/day

Human

human

intranasal

4 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 52

Tauber 2026

18 or 24 IU twice daily

Human

human

intranasal

8 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 50

Guastella 2015

40 IU

Human

human

intranasal

six weekly sessions

Randomized trial in people · n = 48

Stauffer 2020

24 IU

Human

human

intranasal

single dose

Randomized trial in people · n = 40

Watanabe 2014

20 IU twice daily in week 1, then 40 IU twice daily

Human

human

intranasal

8 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 40

Modabbernia 2013

24 International Units once daily

Human

human

intranasal

4 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 40

Bernaerts 2020

24 IU twice daily

Human

human

intranasal

three days

Randomized trial in people · n = 40

Melby 2019

8 IU up to thrice daily

Human

human

intranasal

4 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 38

Melby 2021

24 International Units, twice daily

Human

human

intranasal

4 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 32

Parker 2017

12 IU twice daily (24 IU per day)

Human

human

intranasal

5 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 31

Yatawara 2016

32 IU

Human

human

intranasal

8 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 30

Muin 2015

24 IU

Human

human

intranasal

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 24

Vetter 2025

0.2 international units/min

Human

human

intravenous

4.5 hours

Randomized trial in people · n = 24

Gether 2026

24, 48 or 72 IU twice daily

Human

human

intranasal

1 week

Randomized trial in people · n = 23

Finger 2015

8 IU and 24 IU

Human

human

intranasal

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 17

Quintana 2017

8 IU

Human

human

intranasal

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 17

Quintana 2017

24 IU

Human

human

intranasal

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 17

Quintana 2017

100 µg

Human

human

intrathecal

Not reported

Randomized trial in people · n = 5

Eisenach 2023

72 IU every third day

Human

human

intranasal

6 weeks

Randomized trial in people

Coleman 2025

24 IU

Human

human

intranasal

single dose

Randomized trial in people

Sabino 2020

10 IU in 500 ml saline at 120 ml/h

Human

human

intravenous

during the operation

Randomized trial in people

Aslan 2019

3-20 U/day

Human

human

intranasal

4 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 109

Yamasue 2022

12 IU twice daily

Human

human

intranasal

4 weeks

Randomized trial in people · n = 77

Daniels 2023

Context

Route

Amount

How often

How long

Agreement

Sources

For contrast: the US hospital label (Pitocin), to start labour. This is not the community use.Official label dosing of an approved product

intravenous infusion (also intramuscular injection) in hospitalThe label does not cover nasal or sublingual use.

0.5 to 1 mU/min per initial infusion rate

rate raised in steps of 1 to 2 mU/min at 30 to 60 minute intervals until the desired contraction pattern is reached

during labour

single source (official label)

Social situations, mood and bonding

intranasal sprayA wiki says products are compounded or research-grade, and dose consistency varies. No non-seller source gives IU per spray. S6 does not name the route.

20 to 40 IU per dose

once daily or as needed, for example before a social situation

ongoing or situational

sources differ: S2 gives 20 to 40 IU and S3 gives 20 to 24 IU; S6 is one comment about 24 IU. S2 carries seller links, and S2 and S3 may copy each other.

S2S3 S6

Lower daily dose, reported as enough for anxiety reduction by some users

intranasal spray

10 to 20 IU per dose

once daily

2 to 4 weeks

single source: a wiki that carries seller rankings

Sublingual troches from compounding pharmacies (niche)

sublingualS2 says users of this form are those with physician-prescribed protocols.

10 to 100 IU per dose

1 to 2 times daily (S2)

ongoing (S2)

sources differ: 10 to 40 IU in S2 and 50 to 100 IU in S3. S2 carries seller links, and S2 and S3 may copy each other.

S2S3

Oxytocin

Key points

Oxytocin at a glance

What is oxytocin?

The history of oxytocin

Oxytocin structure and chemistry

How does oxytocin work?

What oxytocin studies show

Mood, stress and behavior

Memory and thinking

Brain and nerves

Sexual and women's health

Pain

Weight and appetite

Key oxytocin studies

Oxytocin clinical trials

Is oxytocin approved?

Oxytocin side effects and safety

How people use it

What people use it for

Reported regimens

Reported side effects

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

Cautions

Status notes

Community sources

Common questions

Is oxytocin the same as Pitocin?

What benefits do studies report for oxytocin?

Is oxytocin safe?

What results did people see in oxytocin studies?

What do users report about oxytocin?

Ask a question about oxytocin

Related peptides

Sources

Oxytocin

Key points

Oxytocin at a glance

What is oxytocin?

The history of oxytocin

Oxytocin structure and chemistry

How does oxytocin work?

What oxytocin studies show

Mood, stress and behavior

Memory and thinking

Brain and nerves

Sexual and women's health

Pain

Weight and appetite

Key oxytocin studies

Oxytocin clinical trials

Is oxytocin approved?

Oxytocin side effects and safety

How people use it

What people use it for

Reported regimens

Reported side effects

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

Cautions

Status notes

Community sources

Common questions

Is oxytocin the same as Pitocin?

What benefits do studies report for oxytocin?

Is oxytocin safe?

What results did people see in oxytocin studies?

What do users report about oxytocin?

Ask a question about oxytocin

Related peptides

Sources