Oxytocin

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on February 1, 2024

Oxytocin (oks i TOE sin) is a generic medication that’s given to start or improve labor contractions and to stop the bleeding after delivery. The brand-name version of this drug is Pitocin. Oxytocin is only given by a healthcare professional in a hospital. The cost of oxytocin with or without insurance can depend on several factors.

Read on to learn about oxytocin and cost. If you’d like more information about oxytocin, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Cost of oxytocin

Like other medications, the cost of oxytocin can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the cost of your hospital visit

To find out how much oxytocin costs, ask your doctor or insurance provider.

Coupons for medications

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of certain medications. Coupons aren’t available for medications, such as oxytocin, that are only given by a healthcare professional in a hospital. But Optum Perks coupons can provide significant savings on your other prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for oxytocin

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Insurance coverage: The price of oxytocin will be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional gives doses of oxytocin in a hospital. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor know. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Oxytocin is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Pitocin.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

To find out whether generic oxytocin or its brand-name version will be prescribed for you, ask your doctor. The hospital or health system may have a financial representative who can discuss possible costs with you.

Common questions about oxytocin and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about oxytocin.

Is oxytocin covered by Medicare?

Yes. If you have Medicare during a pregnancy, it’ll cover care related to pregnancy and childbirth. If you need oxytocin, the cost will be covered under Medicare Part A (original Medicare hospital coverage).

However, you may still be responsible for some or all of the cost of oxytocin and other care related to your hospital stay. For example, if you haven’t met your Medicare deductible, you may have to pay some or all of the amount for oxytocin or other services. And even if you’ve met your deductible, you may still need to cover part of the costs for oxytocin or other services as a coinsurance payment. For example, Medicare may cover 80% of the cost, but you will need to pay the remaining 20%.

The federal government sets hospital and outpatient procedure payment rates for Medicare. Private medical insurance companies negotiate payment rates with hospitals. The payment rate will be specific to the diagnosis and procedures you have in the hospital. Medications are included in this payment rate.

You can learn more about the cost of oxytocin by contacting your Medicare provider.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years without anyone else making their drug. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, which have already been tested. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about oxytocin

This article provides cost information related to oxytocin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on prescription drugs. Above on this page, you’ll find coupon information. However, coupons aren’t available for medications, such as oxytocin, that are only given by a healthcare professional.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Are there lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
• Is the cost of oxytocin included in my hospital billing?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medical bills?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Oxytocin injection, USP. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c7fd585a-99b7-4309-b003-a6cbef05372c/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.