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Adverse Effects of Oxytocin Are More Prevalent than Those Associated with Carbetocin Administration During Cesarean

Edyta Zagrodnik1, Małgorzata Szczuko2, Agnieszka Kordek3

  • 1Clinical Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care of Adults and Children, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-460 Szczecin, Poland.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|October 29, 2025
PubMed

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyze the frequency and type of subjective adverse events reported after the use of oxytocin and carbetocin in women giving birth by cesarean section. Methods: A total of 70 pregnant women, previously scheduled for elective cesarean section, were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups. One group (OXY) received intrapartum oxytocin at a dose of 5 IU intravenously, and the other group (CARBE) received intrapartum carbetocin at a dose of 100 μg intravenously. Both drugs were used alternately to contract the uterus immediately after the expulsion of baby during the cesarean section. Results: An analysis of reported subjective adverse symptoms associated with the administration of uterotonic drugs showed a higher incidence of adverse effects in the group of women receiving oxytocin compared to those receiving carbetocin. Statistical significance was observed for all of the following reported symptoms: headache, chest pain, burning sensation and heaviness in the chest, and palpitations. Conclusions: Although chest pain, burning and heaviness in the chest, palpitations, and headaches are more common in women giving birth by cesarean section after administration of oxytocin than after administration of carbetocin, this fact appears to be of limited clinical significance from a clinical point of view.

Keywords:
maternal outcomespostpartum hemorrhagesafety profileuterotonic agents

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