A review of safety, side-effects and subjective reactions to intranasal oxytocin in human research

MacDonald, Elayne; Dadds, Mark R.; Brennan, John; Williams, Katrina; Lévy, Florence; Cauchi, Avril

doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.02.015

Cited by 325 publications

(273 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Both doses of intranasal oxytocin increased ratings of 'Friendly' and 'Elated,' and the lower oxytocin dose (20 IU) also increased several additional mood ratings, including 'Insightful' and 'Social'. The current subjective-effects findings are novel, as most previous studies have not reported detectable subjective effects following intranasal oxytocin administration (MacDonald et al, 2011). Several features of the design, including the within-subject placebo comparison condition and repeated measures across the time course of the effect may have increased the sensitivity of our procedure, relative to previous studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…Placebo nasal sprays consisted of Ocean Spray Nasal Solution (Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Bridgewater, NJ). The doses of 20 and 40 IU oxytocin were chosen based on previous studies utilizing intranasally administered oxytocin and vasopressin (Bos et al, 2011;MacDonald et al, 2011). Nasal sprays were administered by a trained personnel in four doses to each nare over the course of 15 min.…”

Section: Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of MDMA and Intranasal Oxytocin on Social and Emotional Processing

Kirkpatrick

Lee

Wardle

et al. 2014

Neuropsychopharmacol

120

129

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MDMA (±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 'ecstasy') is used recreationally, reportedly because it increases feelings of empathy, sociability, and interpersonal closeness. One line of evidence suggests that MDMA produces these effects by releasing oxytocin, a peptide involved in social bonding. In the current study, we investigated the acute effects of MDMA and oxytocin on social and emotional processing in healthy human volunteers. MDMA users (N ¼ 65) participated in a 4-session, within-between-subjects study in which they received oral MDMA (0.75, 1.5 mg/kg), intranasal oxytocin (20 or 40 IU), or placebo under double-blind conditions. The primary outcomes included measures of emotion recognition and sociability (desire to be with others). Cardiovascular and subjective effects were also assessed. As expected, MDMA dose-dependently increased heart rate and blood pressure and feelings of euphoria (eg, 'High' and 'Like Drug'). On measures of social function, MDMA impaired recognition of angry and fearful facial expressions, and the larger dose (1.5 mg/kg) increased desire to be with others, compared with placebo. Oxytocin produced small but significant increases in feelings of sociability and enhanced recognition of sad facial expressions. Additionally, responses to oxytocin were related to responses to MDMA with subjects on two subjective measures of sociability. Thus, MDMA increased euphoria and feelings of sociability, perhaps by reducing sensitivity to subtle signs of negative emotions in others. The present findings provide only limited support for the idea that oxytocin produces the prosocial effects of MDMA.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Section: Drugsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of MDMA and Intranasal Oxytocin on Social and Emotional Processing

Kirkpatrick

Lee

Wardle

et al. 2014

Neuropsychopharmacol

120

129

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These data are consistent with a review of 1529 subjects receiving 18-72 µg intranasal oxytocin without evidence of toxicity. 23 Three special concerns with oxytocin in the non-pregnant patient are effects on QT interval and serum sodium and, after intrathecal administration, itching. We failed to observe a change in QTc in this small safety study, nor did any of the 20 individuals show prolonged QTc after drug administration.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phase 1 Safety Assessment of Intrathecal Oxytocin

Eisenach¹,

Tong²,

Curry³

2016

Obstetric Anesthesia Digest

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“…Although oxytocin can modulate dopamine neurotransmission in the NAc, no detectable subjective changes are noted by normal humans following intranasal administration of this hormone [113]. On the other hand, oxytocin significantly inhibits the acquisition of methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and abolishes the reinstatement of CPP induced by stress in mice [114].…”

Section: Oxytocin and Addictive Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Psycho-Behavioral Spiral of Disturbances in Prosocial Behavior, Stress Response, and Self-Regulation inSubstance-Related and Addictive Disorders

Nakagawa¹

2017

J Drug Alcohol Res

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Studies on neuropathological changes in substance-related and addictive disorders (SRADs) suggest that substance abuse or pathological gambling induces persistent abnormalities in the brain reward system that compromise emotional, decision making, and stress responses. Moreover, the enhancement of cortisol secretion resulting from long-term hyperactivation of the stress response is thought to impair the self-regulating system that controls emotion and executive function. In contrast, oxytocin induces prosocial behavior, attenuates the stress response, and reduces addictive behaviors in laboratory animals and humans. Prosocial behavior, a major coping response for stress in humans, is believed to be related to reward system function. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is reported to lessen some symptoms of SRADs by affecting the function of the prefrontal cortex. Taken together these findings suggest that abnormalities of the reward system trigger the psycho-behavioral spiral of disturbances in prosocial behavior, the stress response, and self-regulation that are associated with SRADs. It is proposed that CBT in combination with drugs known to modulate prosocial behavior and the stress response could be of therapeutic value in the treatment of SRADs.

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A review of safety, side-effects and subjective reactions to intranasal oxytocin in human research

Cited by 325 publications

References 61 publications

Effects of MDMA and Intranasal Oxytocin on Social and Emotional Processing

Effects of MDMA and Intranasal Oxytocin on Social and Emotional Processing

Phase 1 Safety Assessment of Intrathecal Oxytocin

Psycho-Behavioral Spiral of Disturbances in Prosocial Behavior, Stress Response, and Self-Regulation inSubstance-Related and Addictive Disorders

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