Effects of long-term treatment with oxytocin in chronic constipation; a double blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

Ohlsson B, Truedsson M, Bengtsson M, Torstenson R, Sjölund K, Björnsson ES, Simrèn M

Neurogastroenterology and motility1 Oct 2005Cited by 73 (Europe PMC)

PMID16185308DOI10.1111/j.1365-2982.2005.00679.xPepBankPUB-16185308

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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study6

6 results from studies that gave the peptide. 6 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In women with refractory constipation, constipation on the GSRS improved with both oxytocin and placebo, with no significant difference between the groups.
In plain wordsIn women with long-lasting constipation, symptoms improved with both nasal oxytocin and placebo, and oxytocin was not better than placebo.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeConstipation symptoms (GSRS)
Study
n = 59
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal function · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · nasal inhalation · 13 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Both oxytocin and placebo led to improvement of the constipation according to the GSRS and led to improvement in the sensation of incomplete evacuation and anorectal obstruction, without significant differences between the groups.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fifty-nine women with refractory constipation were included in a double blind, multicentre study.
Summary · context
After a 2-week run-in period, they were randomly allocated to nasal inhalation of either placebo or oxytocin treatment twice daily for 13 weeks, followed by a 2 weeks, posttreatment period.
Report a problemFND-1618530801
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In women with refractory constipation, the sensation of incomplete evacuation improved with both oxytocin and placebo, without a significant difference between the groups.
In plain wordsIn women with long-lasting constipation, the feeling of incomplete emptying improved with both oxytocin and placebo, with no difference between them.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeSensation of incomplete evacuation
Study
n = 59
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal function · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · nasal inhalation · 13 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Both oxytocin and placebo led to improvement of the constipation according to the GSRS and led to improvement in the sensation of incomplete evacuation and anorectal obstruction, without significant differences between the groups.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fifty-nine women with refractory constipation were included in a double blind, multicentre study.
Summary · context
After a 2-week run-in period, they were randomly allocated to nasal inhalation of either placebo or oxytocin treatment twice daily for 13 weeks, followed by a 2 weeks, posttreatment period.
Report a problemFND-1618530802
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In women with refractory constipation, the sensation of anorectal obstruction improved with both oxytocin and placebo, without a significant difference between the groups.
In plain wordsIn women with long-lasting constipation, the feeling of blockage improved with both oxytocin and placebo, with no difference between them.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
No significant changeSensation of anorectal obstruction
Study
n = 59
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Gastrointestinal function · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · nasal inhalation · 13 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Both oxytocin and placebo led to improvement of the constipation according to the GSRS and led to improvement in the sensation of incomplete evacuation and anorectal obstruction, without significant differences between the groups.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fifty-nine women with refractory constipation were included in a double blind, multicentre study.
Summary · context
After a 2-week run-in period, they were randomly allocated to nasal inhalation of either placebo or oxytocin treatment twice daily for 13 weeks, followed by a 2 weeks, posttreatment period.
Report a problemFND-1618530803
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In women with refractory constipation, abdominal pain responded weakly to oxytocin, with no effect of placebo.
In plain wordsIn women with long-lasting constipation, nasal oxytocin gave a weak improvement in belly pain, and placebo gave none.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseAbdominal pain
Study
n = 59
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Pain · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · nasal inhalation · 13 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Abdominal pain and discomfort responded weakly to oxytocin, with no effect of the placebo.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fifty-nine women with refractory constipation were included in a double blind, multicentre study.
Summary · context
After a 2-week run-in period, they were randomly allocated to nasal inhalation of either placebo or oxytocin treatment twice daily for 13 weeks, followed by a 2 weeks, posttreatment period.
Report a problemFND-1618530804
05HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In women with refractory constipation, abdominal discomfort responded weakly to oxytocin, with no effect of placebo.
In plain wordsIn women with long-lasting constipation, nasal oxytocin gave a weak improvement in belly discomfort, and placebo gave none.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseAbdominal discomfort
Study
n = 59
Comparator
Placebo
Outcome group
Pain · Gastrointestinal
Studied dose
Dose not stated · nasal inhalation · 13 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Abdominal pain and discomfort responded weakly to oxytocin, with no effect of the placebo.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fifty-nine women with refractory constipation were included in a double blind, multicentre study.
Summary · context
After a 2-week run-in period, they were randomly allocated to nasal inhalation of either placebo or oxytocin treatment twice daily for 13 weeks, followed by a 2 weeks, posttreatment period.
Report a problemFND-1618530805
06HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In a subgroup of women with IBS and concomitant depression, depressed mood improved weakly after oxytocin.
In plain wordsIn a subgroup of women with IBS and depression, a weak improvement in low mood was seen after nasal oxytocin.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
DecreaseDepressed mood in IBS with depression subgroup
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Anxiety and mood · Mental health and mood
Studied dose
Dose not stated · nasal inhalation · 13 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
In a subgroup of patients with IBS and concomitant depression, a weak improvement in depressed mood was observed after oxytocin administartion.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Fifty-nine women with refractory constipation were included in a double blind, multicentre study.
Summary · context
After a 2-week run-in period, they were randomly allocated to nasal inhalation of either placebo or oxytocin treatment twice daily for 13 weeks, followed by a 2 weeks, posttreatment period.
Report a problemFND-1618530806

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 20:03 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:50 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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