Comparing Salmeterol vs Terbutaline

For COPD, Maintenance: I have had mild asthma from being a child, however due to smoking I now have both asthma and COPD. I have always struggled with beta-2 agonists like albuterol or terbutaline becuase they caused a lot of side effects for me such as palpitations, tremor and nervousness. I relied heavily on ipratropium (Atrovent) and inhaled beclomethasone before trying salmeterol. This is a great drug because it prevents wheezing, tightness, coughing and breathlessness without causing and side effects. I take it before going out of the house on errands or physical activity and in combination with the steroid I now rarely need to use ipratropium as a rescue medication. I have tried both the powdered form and the MDI and I can definitely say the MDI is better.

For Premature Labor: I was put on terbutaline for preterm labor at 27 weeks in 2005. Initially it was a drip until I was discharged from the hospital at 33 weeks at which point it was a terbutaline pump to be inserted in the thigh. The side effects for me (the mother) were a racing heart and jittery, shaking hands and extremities. I continued that regimen until 36 weeks. Daughter was born full term and seemed to be a typically developing child until puberty. At which point she was diagnosed with mental health issues including ADHD and severe Oppositional Defiance Disorder. Those conditions do not run in our family and are not present in our other children.

For Premature Labor: I was placed on a terbutaline pump in 1989 and 1993 for preterm labor. Terbutaline pump now taken off the market. Something was off with both children despite normal genetic testing and appearing physically normal. Adolescent both children were unable to keep up academically or socially. Extreme anxiety and depression. Son took his life at 21 and daughter attempted suicide 26 continues to live a tortured life of untreatable mental illness. See the research on Terbutaline and Associated risks for Neurodevelopment Disorders. Terbutaline destroyed our lives. Don't be naive be very careful of what you take during your pregnancy. I would have rather have lost my pregnancies than see my children suffer a life filled with such despair.