Use of uterotonic drugs for prevention and treatment of postpartum ...

Guidelines for the storage of oxytocin and ergometrine
If there is:
A cold chain
• During transit from manufacturer
• During transit in-country
No cold chain
• No reliable or consistent means of keeping
drugs at required temperature during transit
A refrigerator upon arrival at facility
• Reliable, working refrigeration
• Able to keep a constant temperature of
2 to 8 ° C
• Sufficient space in the refrigerator to store
oxytocics
Do the following:
1. Keep oxytocics at 2 to 8 ° C.
2. Keep in the dark whenever possible.
Oxytocin is not light sensitive, but it is still good practice
to store it in the dark, if possible.
Ergometrine must be kept in the dark at all times; it loses
potency very quickly when exposed to light.
1. Keep drugs in the dark, away from light during transit.
If kept in the dark, drugs may be exposed for up to 2
weeks at no more than 40°C while in transit.
1. Store oxytocics at 2 to 8 ° C.
2. Keep ampoules/vials in a closed box away from light.
3. Periodically remove ample amount needed for expected
client load from refrigerator.
4. Ergometrine ampoules/vials that are removed from
refrigerator must be kept in the dark, out of any light.
5. Oxytocin ampoules/vials that are removed from the
refrigerator can be kept in either light or dark; however,
the best practice is to keep in the dark.
No refrigerator upon arrival at facility
• No electricity
• No reliable refrigeration
• Not sufficient room in existing refrigerator
to store oxytocics
• No refrigeration at all
1. Keep drugs in closed boxes/cartons if possible. Remove
vials/ampoules only when ready for use.
2. Keep adequate oxytocics and supplies available
(needles/syringes) in labor and delivery/postpartum
units at all times.
3. Store drugs in the dark, away from light.
Ergometrine is very light sensitive and loses potency
quickly in the light. It must be stored in dark at all times.
4. Consider rotation of oxytocic drugs in and out of the
refrigerator if space not sufficient to store entire stock.
Oxytocin and ergometrine may be stored outside the
refrigerator at 30°C or less for not more than 3 months.
Oxytocin is more stable than ergometrine, and oxytocin is not sensitive to light. WHO recommends
oxytocin as the drug of choice for active management of the third stage of labor and advises that
ergometrine only be used when oxytocin is not available.
Other related reading: Hogerzeil HV, Walker GJA. Oxytocin more stable in tropical climates (letter). British Medical Journal.
1994;308:59.