Ritodrine (Oral, Intravenous)

Ritodrine is used to stop premature labor. This medicine was available only with your doctor's prescription.

Ritodrine is no longer available in the United States.

Check with your doctor right away if your contractions start again or if your water breaks.

Do not take other medicines unless you have talked about them with your doctor. This is especially important for over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus issues, as they may increase the unwanted effects of this medicine.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide. Here are some important points to think about:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever experienced any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies you may have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Breast Feeding

There are no sufficient studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others may be used together even if there is a chance of an interaction. In such cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. When taking this medicine, it is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some situations. If both medicines are prescribed, your doctor might adjust the dose or frequency for one or both of the medicines.

• Methacholine
• Sotalol

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around mealtime or with certain foods due to possible interactions. Drinking alcohol or using tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical conditions may influence how this medicine works for you. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes or
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) or
• Migraine headaches (or a history of)—These may become worse.

• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• Uncontrolled overactive thyroid—This may lead to serious heart side effects, including an irregular heartbeat.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Blurred vision
• chest pain or tightness
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fast or irregular heartbeat—rare with oral form
• flushed and dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• increased urination
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• severe pounding or racing heartbeat—rare with oral form
• shortness of breath—rare with oral form
• sleepiness
• stomachache
• tiredness
• troubled breathing (rapid and deep)
• unusual thirst
• vomiting

Rare

• Sore throat or fever
• yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

• Fast or irregular heartbeat (severe)
• nausea or vomiting (severe)
• nervousness or trembling (severe)
• shortness of breath (severe)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Headache
• reddened skin
• tremors

Less common or rare

• Anxiety
• emotional upset
• jitteriness, nervousness, or restlessness
• skin rash

After you stop using this medicine, it may still cause some side effects that need attention. During this time, check with your doctor right away if you notice the following side effect:

• Shortness of breath

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Pharmacologic Class: Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonist

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules): Adults: In the first twenty-four hours after the doctor stops your intravenous ritodrine, your dose may be as high as 40 milligrams (mg) every eight hours. After that, the dose is usually 40 mg every eight to twelve hours. Your doctor may want you to take oral ritodrine up until it is time for you to deliver your baby or until your 37th week of pregnancy.
• For oral dosage form (tablets): Adults: In the first twenty-four hours after the doctor stops your intravenous ritodrine, your dose may be as high as 10 milligrams (mg) every two hours. After that, the dose is usually 10 to 20 mg every four to six hours. Your doctor may want you to take oral ritodrine up until it is time for you to deliver your baby or until your 37th week of pregnancy.
• For injection dosage form: Adults: 50 to 350 micrograms per minute, injected into a vein.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.