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Overview: Terbutaline is used by people who have a hard time breathing due to certain lung conditions. It works by relaxing the muscles in your lungs. Common side effects include nervousness, tremors, headache, sleepiness, or a fast heartbeat. Terbutaline can be taken by mouth as a tablet or injected under the skin.

Uses

What is terbutaline used for?

Terbutaline is commonly used in people who have a hard time breathing due to the following lung conditions.

Terbutaline may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does terbutaline work (mechanism of action)?

Terbutaline relaxes the muscles in your lungs, making it easier to breathe.

How is terbutaline supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Brethine
  • Bricanyl

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 2.5 mg and 5 mg oral tablets

Terbutaline is also available in an injectable form that a health care provider gives.

How should I store terbutaline?

Oral Tablet. Terbutaline tablets should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Injection Liquid. Terbutaline injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of terbutaline?

The most common side effects of terbutaline are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the form of terbutaline you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nervousness, tremors, or shakiness
  • Headache
  • Sleepiness
  • Fast heartbeat or a feeling of skipped heartbeats
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting

There may be other side effects of terbutaline that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 1800-FDA-1088 (1800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of terbutaline?

While less common, the most serious side effects of terbutaline are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Terbutaline may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using terbutaline and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown, depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Sudden Breathing Problems. Terbutaline may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm) instead of relaxing, which can be serious. Stop using terbutaline and contact your health care provider right away if you have trouble breathing.

Heart Effects. Terbutaline may increase your risk of certain effects on the heart, such as raising your heart rate or blood pressure. If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 or higher, get medical attention right away. Also, call your health care provider or get medical attention right away if you have chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or if you feel your heartbeat more than usual.

Low Potassium Levels (Hypokalemia). Terbutaline can cause a low potassium level, which can be serious and may lead to death. Your health care provider may check your potassium levels, especially if you take certain other medicines. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms of a low potassium level.

  • Weakness
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Muscle cramps or twitching
  • Constipation

Seizures. Some people who have taken terbutaline have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures, and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking terbutaline and call your health care provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use terbutaline?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use terbutaline.

  • Brethine
  • Bricanyl
  • Terbutaline
  • Any other medicine known as a sympathomimetic amine
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific terbutaline products they stock.

Premature Labor. Terbutaline should not be used to delay or stop premature (preterm) labor in certain situations, especially outside of a hospital, because of the risk of serious side effects for the mother and baby. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

What should I know about terbutaline before using it?

Do not use terbutaline unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share terbutaline with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep terbutaline out of the reach of children.

Terbutaline tablets are used on a regular schedule to prevent symptoms. Do not use this medicine when a quick response to breathing problems is needed. Certain inhaled medicines, sometimes called rescue inhalers, should be used to treat sudden breathing problems. Get medical help right away if your breathing does not get better after using a rescue inhaler.

Tell your health care provider right away if your breathing problems are getting worse. Do not increase your dose or how often you use terbutaline without first talking to your health care provider. Your health care provider may give you another medicine to help.

What should I tell my health care provider before using terbutaline?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if terbutaline is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Diabetes
  • Heart problems
  • High blood pressure
  • Low potassium levels
  • Seizures
  • Thyroid problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Terbutaline may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using terbutaline, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how terbutaline could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use terbutaline while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. They will also let you know if you should stop using terbutaline at any specific point during your pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if terbutaline passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use terbutaline while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does terbutaline interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between terbutaline and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect terbutaline. The risk of sleepiness and dizziness may increase if you drink alcohol while using terbutaline.

Does terbutaline interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using terbutaline.

  • A beta-blocker, such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
  • A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past two weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
  • A tricyclic antidepressant within the past two weeks, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
  • Any inhaled medicines

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with terbutaline. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much terbutaline?

If you or someone else has used too much terbutaline, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 1800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of terbutaline?

Oral Tablet. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Injection Liquid. Terbutaline injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving terbutaline as scheduled.