Atosiban
Encyclopedia
Atosiban is an inhibitor of the hormones oxytocin
and vasopressin
. It is used as an intravenous medication
as a labour repressant (tocolytic) to halt premature labor. Although initial studies suggested it could be used as a nasal spray
and hence would not require hospital admission, it is not used in that form. It was developed by Ferring Pharmaceuticals
in Sweden
and first reported in the literature in 1985.
Chemically, it is a modified form of oxytocin that inhibits the action of this hormone on the uterus
, leading to a cessation of contraction
s.
A 2005 systematic review
by the Cochrane Collaboration
showed that while atosiban had fewer side-effects than alternative drugs (such as ritodrine
), it was no better than placebo
in the major outcomes, and in one study showed worse neonatal outcomes. The reviewers suggest nifedipine
may be more promising.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone that acts primarily as a neuromodulator in the brain.Oxytocin is best known for its roles in sexual reproduction, in particular during and after childbirth...
and vasopressin
Vasopressin
Arginine vasopressin , also known as vasopressin, argipressin or antidiuretic hormone , is a neurohypophysial hormone found in most mammals, including humans. Vasopressin is a peptide hormone that controls the reabsorption of molecules in the tubules of the kidneys by affecting the tissue's...
. It is used as an intravenous medication
Medication
A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
as a labour repressant (tocolytic) to halt premature labor. Although initial studies suggested it could be used as a nasal spray
Nasal spray
Nasal sprays come in a variety of forms. Medicated such as Astelin, Afrin and Nasonex and natural such as Sinusoothe and Sterimar. Although delivery methods vary, most nasal sprays function by instilling a fine mist into the nostril by action of a hand-operated pump mechanism.-Antihistamine nasal...
and hence would not require hospital admission, it is not used in that form. It was developed by Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a pharmaceutical company that specializes in the development and marketing of drugs for use in human medicine.It was founded by Frederik Paulsen Sr in Malmö, Sweden, in 1950, initially as the Nordiska Hormon Laboratoriet, renamed Ferring in 1954. A ferring in Frisian is a...
in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
and first reported in the literature in 1985.
Chemically, it is a modified form of oxytocin that inhibits the action of this hormone on the uterus
Uterus
The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...
, leading to a cessation of contraction
Contraction (childbirth)
-Throughout menstrual cycle:The uterus frequently contracts throughout the entire menstrual cycle, and these contractions have been termed endometrial waves or contractile waves. These appear to involve only the sub-endometrial layer of the myometrium...
s.
A 2005 systematic review
Systematic review
A systematic review is a literature review focused on a research question that tries to identify, appraise, select and synthesize all high quality research evidence relevant to that question. Systematic reviews of high-quality randomized controlled trials are crucial to evidence-based medicine...
by the Cochrane Collaboration
Cochrane Collaboration
The Cochrane Collaboration is a group of over 28,000 volunteers in more than 100 countries who review the effects of health care interventions tested in biomedical randomized controlled trials. A few more recent reviews have also studied the results of non-randomized, observational studies...
showed that while atosiban had fewer side-effects than alternative drugs (such as ritodrine
Ritodrine
Ritodrine is a tocolytic drug, was used to stop premature labor. It is available in oral tablets or as an injection, and is typically used as the hydrochloride salt, ritodrine hydrochloride...
), it was no better than placebo
Placebo
A placebo is a simulated or otherwise medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition intended to deceive the recipient...
in the major outcomes, and in one study showed worse neonatal outcomes. The reviewers suggest nifedipine
Nifedipine
Nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker...
may be more promising.