Description
Carbetocin is an analog of oxytocin that exhibits mood-modulatory characteristics such as anxiolytic and antidepressant activities. Carbetocin is clinically used to prevent postpartum hemorrhaging. In animal models of opioid dependency, carbetocin attenuates the negative aspects of withdrawal and prevents stress-induced reinstatement in a conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm, indicating potential benefit as a relapse prevention therapy. Additionally, carbetocin decreases immobility time in animals undergoing the forced swim test and increases motor activity and time spent in open areas in the elevated plus maze and open field test. Carbetocin likely binds OXTR receptors.