Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl
- Beta2 Agonists;
- Extravasation Antidotes
Description
Systemic short-acting selective beta-2 agonist (SABA); shorter acting than albuterol
Used for treating and preventing bronchospasm due to asthma in adult and pediatric patients; also for bronchospasm due to COPD in adults, but inhaled agents are preferred
Not recommended for use for prolonged tocolysis, off-label use as an acute tocolytic must be approached with caution
Indications
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to sympathomimetics
Use >72 hr in management or prevention of preterm labor
Oral administration in preterm labor
Adverse Effects
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Transient hyperglycemia
- Transient hypokalemia
- Trembling
- Tachycardia
- HTN
- Pounding heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bad taste in mouth
- Muscle cramps
- Weakness
- Diaphoresis
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Pulmonary edema
- Myocardial ischemia
- Myocardial infarction
- Increased fetal heart rate
- Hypoglycemia in some neonates born to women who received drug during labor
Warnings
Diabetes mellitus
Hypertension
Hyperthyroidism
History of seizures
History of cardiac disease, including ischemic heart disease or associated arrhythmias
Paradoxical bronchoconstriction may occur with excessive use
Fatalities reported with excessive use of sympathomimetics
Optimize anti-inflammatory treatment prior to administering terbutaline for asthma therapy
Beta-2 agonists may increase serum glucose; use caution in patients with diabetes mellitus
Use caution in glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, seizure disorders, and hypokalemia
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C
Lactation: Distributed into breast milk, but in amounts generally considered insufficient to affect nursing infants (AAP Committee states compatible with nursing)
Maximum Dosage
Dosage must be individualized and is highly variable depending on the indication, route of administration, and patient response.
How supplied
Terbutaline sulfate
tablet
- 2.5mg
- 5mg
injectable solution
- 1mg/mL