Indications
Terbutaline Sulfate is used to relieve and prevent narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm) in asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and other lung conditions where the airways tighten. It eases wheezing, chest tightness, cough and shortness of breath. It is available as tablets, syrup, inhalers and an injection.
How It Works
Terbutaline is a beta-2 agonist. It stimulates beta-2 receptors on the smooth muscle that surrounds the airways, causing the muscle to relax. This widens (dilates) the airways so air can move in and out of the lungs more easily. Inhaled forms act within minutes; tablets and syrup act more slowly but last longer.
Dosage and Administration
- Tablets or syrup (adults): usually 2.5 mg three times a day at first, which the doctor may increase to 5 mg three times a day.
- Inhaler (adults): usually 1 to 2 puffs (250 to 500 micrograms) when needed for breathlessness, up to 4 times a day.
- Children: dose depends on age and weight, as prescribed.
- Injection: given by a doctor or nurse, as prescribed.
Follow your doctor’s instructions and the label. If you need your reliever more often than usual, see your doctor.
Interactions
- Non-selective beta blockers such as Propranolol can block its effect and may cause severe bronchospasm in asthma.
- Steroids, diuretics (water tablets) and Theophylline can add to the risk of low potassium.
- MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants may increase effects on the heart and blood pressure.
- Other stimulant medicines (such as decongestants) may add to fast heartbeat and shakiness.
Contraindications
- Allergy to Terbutaline or other similar medicines.
- Must not be used (by mouth or injection) to stop or prevent premature labour for longer than a short period in hospital, because of serious heart risks to the mother.
Side Effects
Common side effects include shaking (tremor), especially of the hands, nervousness, headache, fast or pounding heartbeat, muscle cramps and trouble sleeping. These often ease after the first days of treatment. High doses can lower blood potassium. Rarely it can cause irregular heartbeat, chest pain or paradoxical bronchospasm (wheezing worse straight after an inhaled dose).
Get urgent medical help if you have chest pain, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting, swelling of the face or throat, or if breathing gets worse and your reliever does not help.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Inhaled Terbutaline may be used for asthma in pregnancy if a doctor advises it, because uncontrolled asthma is risky for mother and baby. It should not be used by mouth or injection to stop premature labour except under close hospital care for a short time. Small amounts pass into breast milk; it is generally considered acceptable, but tell your doctor.
Precautions and Warnings
- Use with care in heart disease, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid and diabetes (it can raise blood sugar).
- Using it more often than usual is a sign asthma is getting worse; see your doctor.
- It does not replace preventer (steroid) inhalers in asthma.
- Learn correct inhaler technique.
Overdose
An overdose may cause severe shaking, fast heartbeat, irregular heart rhythm, agitation, high blood sugar, low potassium and changes in blood pressure. Seek medical help straight away.
Therapeutic Class
Bronchodilator; selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light, and out of the reach of children. Do not puncture or burn an inhaler canister.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.