terbutaline (oral)

Skip to the navigation

Pronunciation: ter BYOO ta leen

Brand: Brethine

Brethine 5 mg

slide 1 of 3, Brethine 5 mg,

round, white, imprinted with GEIGY 105

Image of Brethine 5 mg
slide 1 of 3
    

Terbutaline 2.5 mg-GLO

slide 2 of 3, Terbutaline 2.5 mg-GLO,

oval, white, imprinted with G, 2611

Image of Terbutaline 2.5 mg-GLO
slide 2 of 3
    

Terbutaline 5 mg-GLO

slide 3 of 3, Terbutaline 5 mg-GLO,

round, white, imprinted with G, 2622

Image of Terbutaline 5 mg-GLO
slide 3 of 3
    

What is the most important information I should know about terbutaline?

Terbutaline is not safe to use in a pregnant woman to prevent premature labor.

What is terbutaline?

Terbutaline is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

Terbutaline is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing) in people with lung conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema.

Terbutaline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking terbutaline?

You should not use terbutaline if you are allergic to it.

To make sure terbutaline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorder;
  • coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
  • diabetes;
  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
  • overactive thyroid;
  • low levels of potassium in your blood;
  • glaucoma; or
  • any drug allergies.

FDA pregnancy category B. Terbutaline is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Terbutaline is not safe to use in a pregnant woman to prevent premature labor.

It is not known whether terbutaline passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Terbutaline should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.

How should I take terbutaline?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Use terbutaline regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Your doctor may prescribe other medications to treat your condition. Use all medications as directed. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

To make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects on your lungs, you may need to have chest X rays or other frequent lung function tests.

Seek medical attention if you think your asthma medications are not working as well. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking terbutaline?

Avoid situations that may worsen your respiratory condition such as exercising in cold, dry air; smoking; breathing in dust; and exposure to allergens such as pet fur.

What are the possible side effects of terbutaline?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • chest pain, fast heart rate;
  • pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • tremors; or
  • worsening or no improvement in your symptoms.

Common side effects may include:

  • nervousness;
  • headache;
  • dizziness, weakness, drowsiness;
  • nausea, dry mouth;
  • tired feeling; or
  • sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect terbutaline?

You should not take terbutaline if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with terbutaline, especially:

  • a diuretic or "water pill"; or
  • a beta blocker --atenolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with terbutaline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide information about terbutaline written for health professionals that you may read.


Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.01. Revision date: 1/8/2014.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.