terbutaline (oral/injection)

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

What is terbutaline?

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

Terbutaline is for use in adults and children at least 12 years old.

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

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

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems;
• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
• high blood pressure;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• diabetes; or
• overactive thyroid.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I use terbutaline?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Terbutaline oral is taken by mouth.

Terbutaline injection is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. Terbutaline injection is usually given for only a short time, to reverse bronchospasm quickly.

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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeats, trouble sleeping, tiredness, a seizure, or fainting.

What should I avoid while using 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?

• wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using this medicine;
• chest pain, fast heart rate;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• a seizure;
• low potassium level --leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;
• tremors; or
• worsening or no improvement in your symptoms.

Common side effects may include:

• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• chest pain;
• nervousness, tremor;
• drowsiness; or
• headache.

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?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you have used in the past 14 days, especially:

• a diuretic or "water pill";
• an antidepressant --amitriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, and others;
• a beta blocker --atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others; or
• an MAO inhibitor --isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect terbutaline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about terbutaline.

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 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.02. Revision date: 3/15/2020.