Oxytocin

Other FDA-approved drug

Neurohypophyseal nonapeptide hormone · also known as Pitocin, OXT

For reference only — not medical advice. Figures are commonly reported values compiled from published sources and may be wrong or out of date. Many compounds listed are not approved for human use. Talk to a licensed clinician before using any compound.

The US-approved injection (Pitocin) is labeled for intravenous infusion or intramuscular use in obstetrics, to start or strengthen uterine contractions and to control postpartum bleeding. A separate research literature studies intranasal oxytocin for social behavior, stress and metabolism. Subcutaneous vial protocols in reference charts are not a labeled use.

Commonly reported dosing (5 mg vial)

Reconstituted with 3 mL → 1.667 mg/mL.

Also sold in 10 mg vials.

Phase	Dose	Volume	U-100 units
Starting	100 mcg	0.06 mL	6
Standard	300 mcg	0.18 mL	18
Higher	500 mcg	0.3 mL	30

Frequency: Commonly reported once daily · Half-life: About 1-6 minutes in plasma (US label)

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Commonly reported dose escalation

Weeks	Dose	Volume	U-100 units
Weeks 1-2	100 mcg	0.06 mL	6
Weeks 3-4	200 mcg	0.12 mL	12
Weeks 5-6	300 mcg	0.18 mL	18
Weeks 7-8	400 mcg	0.24 mL	24
Week 9+	500 mcg	0.3 mL	30

Higher steps may need a larger vial or more than one draw. Escalation schedules vary; dosing decisions belong to a licensed clinician.

Commonly reported reconstitution steps

Vials are usually brought to room temperature (about 15-20 minutes) first.
3 mL of bacteriostatic water is added slowly down the inside wall of the 5 mg vial.
The vial is swirled gently until clear, not shaken.
This gives 1.67 mg/mL. Mixed vials are typically labeled with the date and refrigerated.

Storage

Before mixing: Reference sources describe powder stored frozen or refrigerated, following the exact product documentation.

After mixing: Reconstituted solution is commonly kept refrigerated (2-8 °C) and protected from light; the use-by period is product-specific.

How it works

Oxytocin activates oxytocin receptors on uterine muscle and milk-duct cells and on neurons in brain regions linked to social behavior and stress responses.

Researched for

Labeled for obstetric uses: labor induction or augmentation and postpartum hemorrhage control.
Intranasal oxytocin studied in autism spectrum disorder, where a recent pooled analysis of randomized trials found no significant effect on social functioning.
Preclinical and small human studies of appetite, pain and bonding.

Notes

Intranasal, intravenous and subcutaneous findings are not interchangeable; intranasal studies are usually expressed in international units.
The very short plasma half-life means effects after a single administration are brief.
Approved products come with their own labeled preparation instructions; the reconstitution figures here apply to research vials.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-05.

PT-141 (Bremelanotide)

Cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist (MC3R/MC4R)

PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a melanocortin receptor agonist that is FDA-approved for low sexual desire in premenopausal women.

10 mg vial · Labeled as needed (1.75 mg, at most one dose per 24 hours and 8 doses per month); reference charts also show daily escalation

Kisspeptin

Neuropeptide; GPR54 (KISS1R) agonist

Kisspeptin is a naturally occurring hypothalamic peptide that sits upstream of GnRH in the reproductive hormone cascade.

10 mg vial · Commonly reported once daily

Gonadorelin

Synthetic GnRH decapeptide

Gonadorelin is the synthetic form of hypothalamic GnRH, the signal that prompts the pituitary to release LH and FSH.

2 mg vial · Commonly reported 2-3 times weekly on non-consecutive days

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

Gonadotropin (LH-receptor agonist glycoprotein hormone)

hCG is a placental glycoprotein hormone that acts on the same receptor as luteinizing hormone, and it is used in fertility and male hypogonadism medicine.

5000 IU vial · Commonly reported three times weekly (for example Mon/Wed/Fri)