Brethine

Terbutaline injection comes as a solution (liquid) to inject under the skin. It is usually given by a doctor or nurse in a medical facility when needed to treat symptoms of asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. If the symptoms do not improve within 15 to 30 minutes after the first dose, another dose may be given. If the symptoms do not improve within 15 to 30 minutes after the second dose, a different treatment should be used.

• Brethine^®
• Bricanyl^®

Common Side Effects of Terbutaline

Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or don't go away:

• Mild dizziness or drowsiness
• Nervousness
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Mild headache
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Sweating
• Dry mouth

Serious Side Effects of Terbutaline

Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following serious side effects:

• Chest pain
• Pounding, fast, or irregular heartbeat
• Tightening of the throat
• Increased difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Signs of an allergic reaction (may include hives, rash, itching, chest tightness, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)
• Hallucinations
• Severe headache or dizziness
• Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body

Tablets: 2.5 and 5 mg. Injection: 1 mg/ml. Inhaler: 0.2 mg/puff. Nubulizer: 1 mg/ml.

Tablets and injection should be stored at room temperature, 15 C - 30 C (59 F - 86 F).

Terbutaline is a prescription medication used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Terbutaline belongs to a group of drugs called beta agonists. These work to relax and open the airways, making it easier to breathe.

This medication comes in tablet form and is typically taken 3 times a day, with or without food.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly under the skin (subcutaneously) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of terbutaline include a pounding or racing heart beat, chest pain, tremors, or nervousness.

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

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Use of terbutaline in children younger than 12 years of age is not recommended.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of terbutaline in geriatric patients.

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Iobenguane I 123

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes or
• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• Heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmia) or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
• Seizures—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Applies to terbutaline: oral elixir, oral tablet

Other dosage forms:

• subcutaneous solution

Along with its needed effects, terbutaline (the active ingredient contained in Brethine) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking terbutaline:

• Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

• Extra heartbeat
• feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
• feeling of warmth or heat
• flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• headache
• sweating

• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• excessive muscle tone
• muscle stiffness
• muscle tension or tightness

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

• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• chest tightness or heaviness
• confusion
• convulsions
• decreased urine
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fainting
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• mood changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pounding in the ears
• seizures
• shortness of breath
• sleeplessness
• slow or fast heartbeat
• trouble sleeping
• unable to sleep
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects of terbutaline may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may 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:

• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

• Anxiety
• lack or loss of strength

• Fever
• rash
• redness, soreness, or itching skin
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• sores, welting, or blisters

Tablets: 5 mg orally 3 times a day at 6 hour intervals during waking hours. May decrease to 2.5 mg/dose if side effects are pronounced. Do not exceed 15 mg in 24 hours.

Inhalation aerosol: 2 inhalations separated by 60 seconds every 4 to 6 hours. Do not repeat more often than every 4 to 6 hours.

< 12 years:
Tablets: 0.05 mg/kg/day divided into three doses. Gradually increase to 0.15 mg/kg/day. Maximum dose is 5 mg per day.

>=12 years:
Inhalation aerosol: 2 inhalations separated by 60 seconds every 4 to 6 hours. Do not repeat more often than every 4 to 6 hours.

>=12 <15 years:
Tablets: 2.5 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours. Do not exceed 7.5 mg in 24 hours

>=15 years:
Tablets: 2.5 mg to 5 mg orally every 6 to 8 hours. Do not exceed 15 mg in 24 hours.