TRIAL RESULTS · SIDE EFFECTS
Oxytocin side effects
ANSWER
35 placebo-controlled trials of Oxytocin posted side-effect results, but no side effect was reported for at least half of the 1,994 people on Oxytocin, so no pooled comparison is shown. Read from ClinicalTrials.gov on 2026-10-03. Not medical advice.
Trial register
Trials with posted results
62
with an arm on Oxytocin, of 952 registered
Against placebo
35
placebo-controlled trials
People in those trials
1,994
on Oxytocin · 1,927 on placebo
Read
2026-10-03
ClinicalTrials.gov
ALL TRIALS
The 100 most reported of 439 side effects reported
Every trial with posted results and an arm on Oxytocin (n ≥ 20), all phases, by people affected. Placebo is shown where placebo-controlled trials reported the same event. Comparator arms are not counted.
| Side effect | Organ system | Oxytocin | Placebo | Trials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infection | Infections and infestations | 31.5% (86 of 273) | 37.6% | 1 |
| Headache | Nervous system disorders | 7.1% (52 of 733) | 10.8% | 12 |
| Cough | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 11.0% (42 of 383) | 9.9% | 4 |
| Negativism | Psychiatric disorders | 12.5% (34 of 273) | 12.4% | 1 |
| Anger Or Irritability | Psychiatric disorders | 12.5% (34 of 273) | 9.8% | 1 |
| Agitation | Nervous system disorders | 9.9% (33 of 333) | 9.2% | 4 |
| Rash | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 9.6% (33 of 345) | 8.3% | 4 |
| Aggression Or Hostility | Psychiatric disorders | 12.1% (33 of 273) | 9.8% | 1 |
| Increased Appetite | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 11.7% (32 of 273) | 9.0% | 1 |
| Fatigue | General disorders | 6.5% (29 of 445) | 10.3% | 5 |
| Hyposmia | Nervous system disorders | 55.1% (27 of 49) | 52.1% | 1 |
| Nasal symptoms (congestion, runny nose, irritation) | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 39.4% (26 of 66) | 44.1% | 1 |
| Epistaxis | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 5.8% (25 of 434) | 6.4% | 4 |
| Sedation | Nervous system disorders | 8.3% (25 of 303) | 6.8% | 2 |
| Nasal irritation/discomfort, Runny Nose, Irritation in throat, Dry throat and mouth | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 48.1% (25 of 52) | 51.0% | 1 |
| Allergic Hypersensitivity | Immune system disorders | 8.8% (24 of 273) | 6.4% | 1 |
| Feeling hot | General disorders | 16.2% (23 of 142) | 3.3% | 2 |
| Crying | Psychiatric disorders | 8.4% (23 of 273) | 10.2% | 1 |
| Injury | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 7.3% (22 of 303) | 4.7% | 2 |
| Frustration | Psychiatric disorders | 8.1% (22 of 273) | 10.2% | 1 |
| Diarrhea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 6.3% (21 of 336) | 6.8% | 3 |
| Arrested Labor | Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions | 16.1% (20 of 124) | - | 1 |
| Chorioamnionitis | Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions | 16.0% (20 of 125) | - | 1 |
| Cough/sneezing | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 30.3% (20 of 66) | 32.4% | 1 |
| Anxiety | Psychiatric disorders | 4.3% (19 of 441) | 4.4% | 6 |
| Thirst | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 6.3% (19 of 304) | 2.7% | 2 |
| Jaundice Neonatal | Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions | 15.3% (19 of 124) | - | 1 |
| Initial Insomnia | Nervous system disorders | 7.0% (19 of 273) | 11.7% | 1 |
| Abnormal Weight Gain | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 7.0% (19 of 273) | 6.4% | 1 |
| Viral upper respiratory tract infections | Infections and infestations | 19.4% (19 of 98) | 16.0% | 1 |
| Inappropriate Affect | Psychiatric disorders | 6.6% (18 of 273) | 6.4% | 1 |
| Energy Increased | General disorders | 6.6% (18 of 273) | 3.4% | 1 |
| Upper respiratory tract infection | Infections and infestations | 15.5% (17 of 110) | 10.2% | 3 |
| Impulse-Control Disorder | Psychiatric disorders | 6.2% (17 of 273) | 5.3% | 1 |
| Chest pain | Cardiac disorders | 8.0% (16 of 199) | 4.7% | 4 |
| Stereotypy | Nervous system disorders | 5.9% (16 of 273) | 4.9% | 1 |
| Decreased Appetite | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 5.9% (16 of 273) | 6.8% | 1 |
| Gastrointestinal discomfort | Gastrointestinal disorders | 16.3% (16 of 98) | 8.5% | 1 |
| Drowsiness/sleepiness | Nervous system disorders | 24.2% (16 of 66) | 35.3% | 1 |
| Headaches | Nervous system disorders | 24.2% (16 of 66) | 27.9% | 1 |
| Hypertension | Vascular disorders | 4.2% (15 of 353) | 3.5% | 3 |
| Restlessness | Nervous system disorders | 5.5% (15 of 273) | 2.3% | 1 |
| Pyrexia | General disorders | 4.0% (14 of 352) | 4.4% | 3 |
| Psychomotor Hyperactivity | Psychiatric disorders | 5.1% (14 of 273) | 6.4% | 1 |
| Eczema | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 5.1% (14 of 273) | 4.1% | 1 |
| Mood/anxiety changes | Psychiatric disorders | 21.2% (14 of 66) | 30.9% | 1 |
| GI symptoms (constipation, diarrhea, nausea) | Gastrointestinal disorders | 21.2% (14 of 66) | 19.1% | 1 |
| Drowsiness | Nervous system disorders | 8.8% (13 of 147) | 6.9% | 3 |
| Amniotic Cavity Infection | Infections and infestations | 10.5% (13 of 124) | - | 1 |
| Vomiting Or Nausea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 4.8% (13 of 273) | 7.5% | 1 |
| Libido Increased | Reproductive system and breast disorders | 4.8% (13 of 273) | 4.1% | 1 |
| Throat symptoms (dry/sore throat, hoarseness) | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 19.7% (13 of 66) | 20.6% | 1 |
| Constipation | Gastrointestinal disorders | 3.9% (12 of 304) | 5.7% | 2 |
| Upper Respiratory Infection | Reproductive system and breast disorders | 6.3% (12 of 192) | 9.1% | 2 |
| Disturbance In Attention | Psychiatric disorders | 4.4% (12 of 273) | 3.0% | 1 |
| Abdominal Pain Or Discomfort | Gastrointestinal disorders | 4.4% (12 of 273) | 7.9% | 1 |
| Abnormal Weight Loss | Metabolism and nutrition disorders | 4.4% (12 of 273) | 3.4% | 1 |
| Feeling drowsy or sleepy | Nervous system disorders | 35.3% (12 of 34) | 33.3% | 1 |
| Nasal congestion | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 8.1% (11 of 136) | 9.8% | 4 |
| Influenza | Infections and infestations | 5.3% (11 of 208) | 0.5% | 4 |
| Acne | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 3.3% (11 of 334) | 6.1% | 3 |
| NICU admission | Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions | 8.8% (11 of 125) | - | 1 |
| Terminal Insomnia | Nervous system disorders | 4.0% (11 of 273) | 5.6% | 1 |
| flushing | Vascular disorders | 9.8% (11 of 112) | - | 1 |
| Sinusitis | Infections and infestations | 5.9% (10 of 169) | 4.2% | 3 |
| Enuresis | Renal and urinary disorders | 3.7% (10 of 273) | 9.0% | 1 |
| Injury/Accident | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 10.2% (10 of 98) | 2.1% | 1 |
| Nasal discomfort | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 11.3% (9 of 80) | 2.6% | 2 |
| Apathy Or Boredom | Psychiatric disorders | 3.3% (9 of 273) | 3.4% | 1 |
| Ear Ache | Ear and labyrinth disorders | 3.3% (9 of 273) | 4.1% | 1 |
| Nasopharyngitis | Infections and infestations | 18.4% (9 of 49) | 6.3% | 1 |
| Palpitations | Cardiac disorders | 2.1% (8 of 378) | 0.0% | 4 |
| Myalgia | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 2.1% (8 of 383) | 0.8% | 4 |
| nausea | General disorders | 3.3% (8 of 242) | 0.6% | 2 |
| Tic | Psychiatric disorders | 2.9% (8 of 273) | 3.0% | 1 |
| Headache/Migraine | Nervous system disorders | 8.2% (8 of 98) | 4.3% | 1 |
| Skin symptoms (rash, itching, tingling) | Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | 12.1% (8 of 66) | 16.2% | 1 |
| Nausea | Gastrointestinal disorders | 3.8% (7 of 184) | 4.9% | 6 |
| Arthralgia | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 1.8% (7 of 383) | 0.8% | 4 |
| # of participants with any adverse event | General disorders | 63.6% (7 of 11) | - | 1 |
| Postpartum readmission | Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions | 5.6% (7 of 125) | - | 1 |
| Mood Swings | Psychiatric disorders | 2.6% (7 of 273) | 4.9% | 1 |
| Obsessive Rumination | Psychiatric disorders | 2.6% (7 of 273) | 3.4% | 1 |
| Middle Insomnia | Nervous system disorders | 2.6% (7 of 273) | 6.0% | 1 |
| Difficulty sitting still | Nervous system disorders | 20.6% (7 of 34) | 12.1% | 1 |
| palpitations | Cardiac disorders | 6.3% (7 of 112) | - | 1 |
| Migraine | Nervous system disorders | 4.3% (6 of 141) | 1.5% | 2 |
| Depressed Mood | Psychiatric disorders | 2.2% (6 of 273) | 3.0% | 1 |
| Tooth Disorder | Gastrointestinal disorders | 2.2% (6 of 273) | 3.0% | 1 |
| Intentional Self-Injury | Injury, poisoning and procedural complications | 2.2% (6 of 273) | 2.6% | 1 |
| Feeling of calmness or euphoria | Nervous system disorders | 17.6% (6 of 34) | 18.2% | 1 |
| Cardiovascular (chest pain, BP changes, palpitations) | Cardiac disorders | 9.1% (6 of 66) | 14.7% | 1 |
| dyspnoea | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 5.4% (6 of 112) | - | 1 |
| headache | Nervous system disorders | 5.4% (6 of 112) | - | 1 |
| Knee Pain | Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders | 6.5% (6 of 92) | 0.0% | 1 |
| Lightheaded, Headache, Tired, Drowsy, Sleepy | Nervous system disorders | 11.5% (6 of 52) | 7.8% | 1 |
| COVID-19 | Infections and infestations | 2.9% (5 of 172) | 7.2% | 3 |
| Oropharyngeal pain | Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders | 6.3% (5 of 79) | 3.8% | 2 |
| Nightmares | Psychiatric disorders | 1.8% (5 of 273) | 1.9% | 1 |
| Encopresis | Gastrointestinal disorders | 1.8% (5 of 273) | 1.9% | 1 |
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov posted results, read 2026-10-03. A trial lists events above its own reporting threshold, so a rare event may be missing from some trials. Not medical advice.
REGISTERED STUDIES
952 registered clinical trials of Oxytocin
The 10 most recently updated are listed.
| NCT07853924 | Effect of Intravenous Oxytocin on Post Dural Puncture Headache After Caesarean Sections Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-10-02 |
|---|---|
| NCT04306354 | Use of Intranasal Oxytocin During Detoxification of Crack Cocaine Status: COMPLETED · Updated 2026-09-28 |
| NCT06757517 | Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin in the Treatment of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal: A Pilot RCT Status: COMPLETED · Updated 2026-09-28 |
| NCT07430228 | Efficacy of Intravenous Oxytocin to Speed Recovery After THA Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · Updated 2026-09-24 |
| NCT07838493 | Oromucosal Oxytocin and Vasopressin Modulation of Emotional Face Attention Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-09-24 |
| 2023-506826-36-00 | A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 3-period cross-over study in youth with autism spectrum disorders evaluating neural plasticity and learning after a single administration of intranasal oxytocin Status: UNKNOWN · Updated 2026-09-23 |
| 2024-519383-40-00 | Assessing Oxytocin's Role in Mitigating Psychosocial Stress in Breast Cancer Survivors Status: UNKNOWN · Updated 2026-09-11 |
| NCT07815496 | The Effects of Oxytocin on Fairness Perception and Related Prosocial Behaviors Status: RECRUITING · Updated 2026-09-11 |
| NCT06039878 | Mother-Baby Study - Observational Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Updated 2026-09-09 |
| 2024-512387-56-00 | A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 2-period cross-over study in youth with autism spectrum disorders evaluating social and repetitive behaviors after four weeks of twice daily-doses of 24IU of intranasally administered oxytocin Status: UNKNOWN · Updated 2026-09-04 |
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