Carbetocin

Carbetocin	Last updated: 12/09/2025
(Also known as: duratocin; depotocin)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A synthetic analogue of the posterior pituitary lobe hormone oxytocin

Examples of veterinary uses

Used to facilitate partutition in a range of animals

Examples of species treated

Pigs; Cattle; Sheep; Goats

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually available as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Carbetocin exhibits stereoisomerism, primarily due to its complex peptide structure containing multiple chiral centres. As an analogue of oxytocin, carbetocin includes eight amino acid residues arranged in a specific sequence, and the spatial configuration of these residues is critical for its biological activity. During synthesis, process-related isomers, such as imp-8 and imp-9, can form as impurities, resulting from variations in stereochemistry or side-chain modifications.

Chemical formula

C₄₅H₆₉N₁₁O₁₂S

Canonical SMILES

CCC(C)C1C(=O)NC(C(=O)NC(C(=O)NC(CSCCCC(=O)NC(C(=O)N1)CC2=CC=C(C=C2)OC)C(=O)N3CCCC3C(=O)NC(CC(C)C)C(=O)NCC(=O)N)CC(=O)N)CCC(=O)N

Isomeric SMILES

CC[C@H](C)[C@H]1C(=O)N[C@H](C(=O)N[C@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CSCCCC(=O)N[C@H](C(=O)N1)CC2=CC=C(C=C2)OC)C(=O)N3CCC[C@H]3C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)NCC(=O)N)CC(=O)N)CCC(=O)N

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

NSTRIRCPWQHTIA-DTRKZRJBSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C45H69N11O12S/c1-6-25(4)38-44(67)50-28(15-16-34(46)58)40(63)51-30(21-35(47)59)41(64)53-31(23-69-18-8-10-37(61)55(5)33(43(66)54-38)20-26-11-13-27(57)14-12-26)45(68)56-17-7-9-32(56)42(65)52-29(19-24(2)3)39(62)49-22-36(48)60/h11-14,24-25,28-33,38,57H,6-10,15-23H2,1-5H3,(H2,46,58)(H2,47,59)(H2,48,60)(H,49,62)(H,50,67)(H,51,63)(H,52,65)(H,53,64)(H,54,66)/t25-,28-,29-,30-,31-,32-,33-,38-/m0/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Uterine stimulant, Antihemorrhagic, Synthetic hormone, Oxytocic

Substance groups

Unclassified substance

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Possible isomer impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Binds to oxytocin receptors and stimulates activity

Molecular targets

[Oxytocin receptor, Agonist]

CAS RN

37025-55-1

EC number

253-312-6

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

16681432

Therapeutic Class

Systemic hormone preparations excluding sex hormones & insulins: Systemic hormonal preparations, excl. sex hormones

ATCvet Code

QH01BB03

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: All mammalian food producing species)

Molecular mass

988.16

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(2S)-N-[(2S)-1-[(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]-1-[(3R,6S,9S,12S,15S)-6-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-9-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-12-[(2S)-butan-2-yl]-15-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-5,8,11,14,17-pentaoxo-1-thia-4,7,10,13,16-pentazacycloicosane-3-carbonyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide

CAS name

1-butanoic acid-2-(O-methyl-L-tyrosine)-1-carbaoxytocin

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Solid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1964, developed

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Vetoquinol UK Ltd
Veyx-Pharma GmbH

Example products using this active

Reprocine Solution for Injection
Hypophysin LA Solution for Injection

Formulation and application details

Formulated as a solution for injection

Commercial production

The production of carbetocin involves a sophisticated solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) process, typically using Fmoc-protected amino acids and a resin such as Rink Amide MBHA as the solid support. The synthesis begins with the sequential coupling of amino acids to build the linear octapeptide chain, followed by cleavage from the resin using a cutting reagent and precipitation with methyl tert-butyl ether to isolate the crude peptide. This linear precursor is then subjected to liquid-phase cyclisation, where the peptide undergoes intramolecular condensation in an alkaline solution containing a reducing agent, forming the cyclic structure essential for biological activity.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Literature quotes DT₅₀ 9.7-26.9 days

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

Mobile

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

43.7

Notes and range

Literature K_oc values range 38-56 mL g⁻¹

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 10.0

Rat

High

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (EC₅₀)

> 39.1

Raphidocelis subcapitata

Low

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 10.0

Rat

High

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Undergoes a biphasic elimination, with a terminal elimination half-life of about 40 minutes. Less than 1% of a dose is excreted unchanged by the kidney. Carbetocin is distributed into breast milk.

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause abdominal pain, anemia, hypotension or tachycardia
Causes a range of physiological symptoms

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

carbetocin

French

carbetocine

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

carbetocino

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	12/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242