Terbutaline (oral/injection)

Terbutaline is a medicine that helps open the airways and is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing) in people with lung conditions like asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema.

Terbutaline is for adults and children who are at least 12 years old.

Terbutaline may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

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

You should not use terbutaline if you are allergic to it, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to decongestant cold medicine or medicine to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (such as Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse, and others).

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.

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

Terbutaline is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

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

Terbutaline may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• wheezing, choking, or other breathing issues after using terbutaline;
• chest pain, rapid heart rate;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• feeling light-headed, as if you might faint;
• a seizure;
• low potassium levels--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or feeling limp;
• tremors; or
• worsening or no improvement in your symptoms.

Common side effects of terbutaline 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 happen. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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.

Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your asthma medications are not working as well.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.