Terbutaline

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

It is very important that you use the terbutaline inhaler properly, so that the medicine gets into your lungs. You doctor may want you to use a spacer with the inhaler. Talk to your doctor about proper inhaler use.

Seek medical attention if you notice that you require more than your usual or more than the maximum amount of any asthma medication in a 24-hour period. An increased need for medication could be an early sign of a serious asthma attack.

Warning

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.

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What is terbutaline?

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

Terbutaline inhalation is used to treat conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Terbutaline inhalation may also be used for conditions other than those listed in this medication guide.

Precautions

Before using terbutaline inhalation, tell your doctor if you have

heart disease or high blood pressure;
epilepsy or another seizure disorder;
diabetes;
an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism); or
liver or kidney disease.

You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment with terbutaline inhalation if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Terbutaline is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use terbutaline inhalation without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether terbutaline passes into breast milk. Do not use terbutaline inhalation without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Terbutaline inhalation is not approved for use by children younger than 12 years of age.

Avoid situations that may trigger an asthma attack such as exercising in cold, dry air; smoking; breathing in dust; and exposure to allergens such as pet fur.

Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a terbutaline overdose include angina or chest pain, irregular heartbeats or a fluttering heart, seizures, tremor, weakness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of this medication.

Side Effects

Stop using terbutaline inhalation and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
chest pain or irregular heartbeats.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use terbutaline inhalation and talk to your doctor if you experience

headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, or insomnia;
tremor or nervousness;
sweating;
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or
dry mouth.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interactions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

a beta-blocker (used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions) such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), propranolol (Inderal), acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), and pindolol (Visken), and others;
a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), and others;
a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
another inhaled bronchodilator such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), isoetharine (Bronkometer, Bronkosol), isoproterenol (Isuprel, Medi Haler-Iso), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), pirbuterol (Maxair), or salmeterol (Serevent); or
caffeine, diet pills, or decongestants.

You may not be able to use terbutaline inhalation, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with terbutaline inhalation, or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Disclaimer

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.