Terbutaline
About Terbutaline
Terbutaline is a respiratory medicine given for bronchospasm. It is indicated for preventing and reversing bronchospasms (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing) associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of long-term lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes) causing restricted airways. Terbutaline helps reduce symptoms of asthma and COPD.
Terbutaline contains Terbutaline, which belongs to the class of bronchodilators. It works by relaxing and opening the air passages in the lungs, making breathing easier. This helps provide relief from bronchospasm associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Terbutaline may cause certain side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, nausea, sweating, restlessness, nervousness, and dry mouth. These side effects generally resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist for longer, please consult your doctor. Terbutaline is a prescription medicine and should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the dose of the medicine based on the severity of the condition.
Terbutaline should be avoided if allergic to it or other components of the medicine. Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, allergic reactions, and the complete medication history you are using. Terbutaline may cause insomnia or dizziness; hence, avoid driving vehicles or operating machinery after taking this medicine or until you return to normal. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before taking Terbutaline. Avoid the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Smoking may affect the effectiveness of the medicine. Terbutaline is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Uses of Terbutaline
Medicinal Benefits
Terbutaline contains Terbutaline, which belongs to the class of bronchodilators. It works by relaxing and opening the air passages in the lungs, making breathing easier. This helps provide relief from bronchospasm associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It relieves symptoms such as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and trouble breathing by increasing airflow through the bronchial tubes.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Terbutaline
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Restlessness
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Dry mouth
Drug Warnings
Terbutaline should be avoided if allergic to it or other components of the medicine. Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, allergic reactions, and the complete medication history you are using. Terbutaline may cause insomnia or dizziness; hence, avoid driving vehicles or operating machinery after taking this medicine or until you return to normal. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before taking Terbutaline. Avoid the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Smoking may affect the effectiveness of the medicine. Terbutaline is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age as the safety and efficacy are not established. Inform your doctor if you have/had any conditions such as seizures, heart disease, an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, high blood pressure, or kidney or liver disease or if you have a history of alcohol abuse.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Terbutaline may interact with medicines for heartburn or an ulcer (cimetidine), antibiotics (erythromycin, ciprofloxacin), antifungal (fluconazole) medicines for gout (allopurinol, sulphinpyrazone), medicines for epilepsy or fits (phenytoin, carbamazepine), water pills (furosemide), corticosteroids (prednisone) and oral contraceptives (ethinylestradiol), antimanic agents (lithium), anticancer drugs (interferon alfa, methotrexate).
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcohol consumption and smoking should be avoided as it may increase drowsiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Terbutaline should be used with caution if you have heart problems, overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), stomach ulcer, liver problems, seizures (fits) or convulsions, or alcoholism.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol may increase the levels of terbutaline in the blood, leading to serious side effects. Discuss with your doctor if you have concerns.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Terbutaline. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIf you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Terbutaline. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
unsafeTerbutaline may cause insomnia or dizziness; hence, avoid driving vehicles or operating machinery after taking this medicine or until you return to normal.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Terbutaline. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking Terbutaline. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Children
unsafeTerbutaline is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet, especially green leafy vegetables, and strictly do not consume alcohol or caffeine (coffee, tea, cola and chocolate).
- Drink plenty of fluids daily to thin mucus, making it easier to cough out.
- Smoking should be avoided while taking Terbutaline as it can alter the blood levels of terbutaline, which may affect the dosing.
- Maintaining hygiene, like washing hands after coming from outside, is very important as people with asthma/COPD are at a greater risk of infections.
- Stay active and do regular exercise to improve quality of life and increase tolerance to shortness of breath.
- Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise, and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress and reduce the risk of an asthma attack.
Special Advise
- The doctor may suggest some tests to know the root cause of the respiratory disorder, such as Spirometry (check the narrowing of bronchial tubes) and Peak flow (check how difficult it is to exhale).
- Please avoid the use of Tobacco and Marijuana as it decreases the efficacy of Terbutaline.
- If you have a glucose test or lipid profile test, let your doctor know about this, as prolonged use of Terbutaline may increase glucose levels and free fatty acid in the body.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough, especially at night. The symptoms of mild persistent asthma may occur more than two times a week and up to 4 nights a month, whereas, in the case of severe persistent asthma, the symptoms occur several times every day and most nights. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises and self-care.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Terbutaline contains Terbutaline, which belongs to the class of bronchodilators. It works by relaxing and opening the air passages in the lungs, making breathing easier for asthma and COPD patients.
Avoid aerated drinks, fried foods, excess salts (sodium chloride or table salt), dairy products, cruciferous veggies, cold cuts and cured meats. Besides this, avoid consuming high amounts of caffeine-containing tea, coffee, chocolate and cola, as these foods already consist of aminophylline, an active constituent of Terbutaline. Sulfites in alcoholic beverages can trigger symptoms of asthma and COPD, so avoid consuming alcoholic beverages.
No, you are not recommended to smoke while taking Terbutaline as it may reduce the effectiveness of Terbutaline and damage your lung's airways (alveoli). Long-term smoking may cause breathing problems like asthma, bronchitis and COPD. Quitting smoking is the best way to keep your lungs healthy.
No, Terbutaline does not relieve sudden asthma symptoms. Therefore, it is advised to carry a rescue inhaler always to treat sudden asthma symptoms.
