Oxytocin receptor agonist



An oxytocin receptor agonist is a compound that acts as an agonist of the oxytocin receptor. Examples include peptide oxytocin receptor agonists like oxytocin (Pitocin, Syntocinon), carbetocin (Duratocin, Pabal), and demoxytocin (Sandopart) and small-molecule oxytocin receptor agonists like TC OT 39, WAY-267464, and LIT-001. Oxytocin receptor agonists are used medically to induce labor, promote lactation, and for other uses. In addition, oxytocin receptor agonists are of theoretical interest for the potential treatment of social disorders, such as autism and social anxiety. Small-molecule oxytocin receptor agonists are considered to be more promising for such uses due to better pharmacokinetic profiles, such as blood–brain barrier permeability, elimination half-lives, and potential for oral bioavailability.