In short
A peptide hormone authorized in Canada as an injection used in labour and delivery. Intranasal oxytocin for social or mood effects remains experimental.
Also known asthe "bonding hormone"
CategorySexual health
Canada statusAuthorized in Canada (prescription)
Human evidence Established for obstetric use; inconclusive for intranasal social/mood uses
Last reviewedNovember 10, 2026
How strong is the human evidence?
- Cell & animal
- Small human studies
- Some randomized trials
- Large randomized trials
What is Oxytocin?
Oxytocin is a 9-amino-acid hormone involved in childbirth, breastfeeding and social bonding.
Is Oxytocin legal in Canada?
Authorized: oxytocin injections (e.g. from Pfizer, Fresenius Kabi and Hikma) are listed as marketed human products in the Drug Product Database; there are also veterinary products. We did not find an authorized oxytocin nasal spray.
What the research shows
- Oxytocin injection is an established hospital drug in obstetrics.
What it doesn't show
- A 2018 meta-analysis of 17 RCTs of intranasal oxytocin in neurodevelopmental disorders found no significant effect on emotion recognition and a small effect on theory of mind; the authors called its promise tentative.
Common questions
Is oxytocin nasal spray legal in Canada?
We did not find an authorized oxytocin nasal spray in the Drug Product Database; the authorized products we found are injections.
Is oxytocin a peptide?
Yes, a 9-amino-acid peptide hormone.
Sources
- Health Canada Drug Product Database (searched Nov 10, 2026)
- Keech B et al. Intranasal oxytocin, social cognition and neurodevelopmental disorders: meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018
Related
KisspeptinA natural hormone that switches on the reproductive axis. Researchers have tested it as an IVF trigger in small trials.…Not authorized in Canada
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)A melanocortin-receptor drug approved by the FDA in 2019 as Vyleesi for low sexual desire in premenopausal women. We…Not authorized in Canada (approved elsewhere)