Oxytocin and Lactation
Posted on Thu, May 06, 2010 @ 04:10 PM
It has been postulated that a rise in the concentration of oxytocin causes contraction of cells around the alveoli and milk ducts, in preparation for suckling, and that lactation failure may result from insufficient oxytocin (Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD000156). When the infant is suckled, afferent impulses from sensory stimulation of nerve terminals in the areolus travel to the central nervous system where they promote the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary. In the woman oxytocin release is often associated with such stimuli as the sight or sound or even the thought of the infant indicating a large cerebral component in this "neuroendocrine reflex". The oxytocin is carried through the blood stream to the mammary gland where it interacts with specific receptors on myoepithelial cells, initiating their contraction and expelling milk from the alveoli into the ducts and sub-areolar sinuses. The passage of milk through the ducts is facilitated by longitudinally arranged myoepithelial cell processes whose contraction shortens and widens the ducts, allowing free flow of milk to the nipple. The process by which milk is forcibly moved out of the alveoli is called milk ejection or let-down and is essential to milk removal from the lactating breast (Oxytocin and Milk Ejection - Margaret Neville). Oxytocin nasal spray has been used successfully to help treat for "the let-down effect" (Applied Therapeutic: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Sixth Edition; 1997: 44-29.).
Bayview Pharmacy, Rhode Island's premier compounding pharmacy, has the ability to compound oxytocin into a nasal spray.
Prescriptions will need to be written with the request to compound, and an example of how you might prescribe follows:
Compounded Medication
Oxytocin 40units/ml
Nasal Spray
30ml
Inhale 1 spray in both nostrils 2-3 minutes before nursing/pumping
We bill most major prescription drug insurances to keep your copays to a minimum. We also can ship anywhere in the USA, next day if need be.
For more information, please contact Ryan Dyer, RPh./Owner, M-F 9-6pm @ 401-284-4505, or fill out the "Ask the Pharmacist" form on our "About Prescription Compounding / Bayview Pharmacy" page.