Oxytocin Nasal Spray: How It Works, Who It’s For and What to Expect
Oxytocin nasal spray is a prescription-only, pharmacy-compounded form of the hormone oxytocin that’s sprayed into the nose. In the US it isn’t FDA-approved for mood or relationship use, so a licensed provider must prescribe it and a licensed compounding pharmacy prepares it for you.
Key takeaways
- There’s no FDA-approved oxytocin nasal spray in the US today; the branded one was discontinued in 1997.
- Legitimate sprays come from licensed 503A compounding pharmacies with a prescription.
- Research is mixed: some encouraging lab findings, some large null trials.
- Short-term use in research has generally been well tolerated.
How does oxytocin nasal spray work?
The lining of the nose absorbs medicine quickly, and the nasal route is the main way researchers have given oxytocin to study its effects on behavior. How much actually reaches the brain is debated: some scientists argue it’s a very small fraction, and some effects may come from oxytocin acting elsewhere in the body.
Is oxytocin nasal spray FDA-approved?
No. A branded oxytocin nasal spray was approved in 1960 to help with milk let-down after birth, but it was discontinued in the US in 1997 for commercial reasons, and no replacement has been approved. Today the only legal way to get oxytocin nasal spray in the US is a prescription filled by a compounding pharmacy.
What do people use it for?
Providers prescribe compounded oxytocin off-label, meaning for uses the FDA hasn’t reviewed. Common reasons include wanting to feel more present and connected with a partner, intimacy, and social ease. The evidence for each varies; read does oxytocin nasal spray work? for an honest summary.
How is it dosed?
Dosing is decided by your provider and printed on your pharmacy label. For context, many research studies used single doses of around 24 international units (IU), and compounded sprays are typically dispensed in small bottles at a set strength per spray. Never adjust your dose without talking to your provider.
How fast does it work, and how long does it last?
In research settings, behavioral tests are usually run 30 to 45 minutes after a dose, and oxytocin in the blood is short-lived. People’s experiences vary widely, and many research participants reported not noticing any subjective change at all.
Side effects and who should avoid it
In short-term research, intranasal oxytocin has generally been well tolerated, with occasional nasal irritation, runny nose or headache. It isn’t for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and it may not be appropriate with certain conditions or medications. Read our side effects and safety guide.
Storage
Compounded oxytocin sprays are commonly kept refrigerated. Follow the storage directions and beyond-use date on your pharmacy label.
How to get oxytocin nasal spray
You need a licensed provider to evaluate you and write a prescription. Online, that usually means a short questionnaire reviewed by a clinician, who decides whether it’s appropriate. Learn how to get an oxytocin prescription.
Sources
- MacDonald et al. (2011). Safety and side effects of intranasal oxytocin in research. Psychoneuroendocrinology. PubMed · Our summary
- Leng & Ludwig (2016). How much intranasal oxytocin reaches the brain?. Biological Psychiatry. PubMed · Our summary
- Sikich et al. (2021). Daily oxytocin for 24 weeks in children with autism. New England Journal of Medicine. PubMed · Our summary
- Ditzen et al. (2009). Oxytocin during couple conflict. Biological Psychiatry. PubMed · Our summary
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Human Drug Compounding