Brethine Side Effects

Generic Name: terbutaline

Please note - some side effects for Brethine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Brethine - for the Consumer

Brethine

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Brethine:

Difficulty sleeping; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea; nervousness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; increased difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fast heartbeat; itching; pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; pounding in the chest; seizures; tremors; wheezing.

Brethine Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Brethine Tablets:

Difficulty sleeping; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea; nervousness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fast heartbeat; increased difficulty breathing; pounding in the chest; seizures; tremor; wheezing.

Side Effects by Body System

General

Terbutaline has usually been well tolerated and adverse effects seen have been consistent with its pharmacological action. In general, the severity of these adverse effects have been dependent on dose and the route of administration. Administration by metered dose inhaler (MDI) has been associated with less systemic effects than administration of higher doses by nebulizer or orally. Tolerance to the adverse effects of terbutaline has occurred.

Cardiovascular

Changes in heart rate of approximately 30% may be observed following 5 mg of terbutaline given orally. Aggravation of angina may be due to the tachycardia induced by terbutaline. Prolongation of the QT interval occurred in ten healthy males given a bolus injection of 0.25 mg terbutaline followed by an infusion of 5 mcg/min. Supraventricular ectopic beats and ventricular tachycardia have also been reported. Higher dosages of terbutaline should be used with caution in patients with cardiac disease, arrhythmias, or hypertension. All of these effects are dose-related and lower doses may be tolerated.

In one case-control study a positive association was found between the use of oral terbutaline for longer than 9 days and peripartum cardiomyopathy. Further study is needed to determine if a causative relationship exists.

Cardiovascular side effects have included palpitations and peripheral vasodilation, commonly resulting in reflex tachycardia. Changes in blood pressure, both increases and decreases, have been reported. Higher dosages have rarely aggravated angina and myocardial ischemia or caused atrial or ventricular arrhythmias. Rarely, peripartum cardiomyopathy has been reported with oral therapy. Pulmonary edema has occurred in pregnant patients receiving intravenous terbutaline.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included tremors, especially at higher doses. Tolerance has developed to the tremorogenic effects. Severe muscle cramping has been rarely reported.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and less commonly hyperglycemia.

Infusions of terbutaline, 25 mcg/min, in women in premature labor has caused decreases in serum potassium of up to 1.6 to 2 mEq/L. Another study in ten healthy males produced a mean decrease in serum potassium of 0.9 mEq/L following a bolus injection of 0.25 mg terbutaline, followed by an infusion of 5 mcg/min. A decrease in magnesium of 0.08 mmol/L was produced in these same patients.

This fall in potassium is presumably due to an intracellular shift of potassium secondary to hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache, restlessness, anxiety, nervousness, irritability, and insomnia.

Other

Other side effects have included the development of tachyphylaxis to the bronchodilating effects of terbutaline. Although conflicting data exist, the development of complete tolerance has not been reported.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. 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.