Brethaire Side Effects

Generic name: terbutaline

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 10, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Brethaire Side Effects associated with terbutaline. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Brethaire.

Applies to terbutaline: subcutaneous solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral tablet

Serious side effects of Brethaire

Along with its needed effects, terbutaline (the active ingredient contained in Brethaire) 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:

More common side effects

• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• nervousness
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

Less common side effects

• chest discomfort
• difficult or labored breathing
• feeling of warmth
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• tightness in the chest
• wheezing

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

Symptoms of overdose

• arm, back, or jaw pain
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• 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
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• mood changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• seizures
• sleeplessness
• trouble sleeping
• unable to sleep
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects of Brethaire

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:

More common side effects

• drowsiness

Less common side effects

• pain at the injection site
• weakness

Rare side effects

• anxiety
• fever
• redness, soreness, or itching skin
• sores, welting, or blisters

For healthcare professionals

Applies to terbutaline: compounding powder, inhalation aerosol, inhalation aerosol with adapter, injectable solution, oral tablet.

General adverse events

Common adverse effects include palpitations, chest pain, rapid heart rate, tremor or nervousness.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Tremor (up to 38%), nervousness (up to 35 %), drowsiness (up to 11.7%), dizziness (up to 10.2%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paresthesia
• Postmarketing reports: Behavioral disturbances, such as agitation and restlessness^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Palpitations (up to 22.9%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Tachycardia, extrasystoles ventricular, vasodilation, decrease in diastolic pressure, hypotension
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Arrhythmias, e.g. atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia and extrasystoles; peripheral vasodilation; myocardial ischemia
• Frequency not reported: Ectopic beats
• Postmarketing reports: An increased tendency to bleeding in connection with caesarean section^[Ref]

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.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Sweating
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash
• Frequency not reported: Exanthema
• Postmarketing reports: Urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomit
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth
• Frequency not reported: Bad taste, diarrhea
• Postmarketing reports: Mouth, throat irritation^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Pain at the injection site^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypokalemia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Lactic acidosis, hyperglycemia^[Ref]

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.^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Weakness, flashed feeling, asthenia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, chest discomfort
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pulmonary edema
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Wheezing immediately after inhalation
• Postmarketing reports: Paradoxical bronchospasm^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle cramps, hypertonia
• Frequency not reported: Muscle twitching^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Elevation of liver enzymes^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity vasculitis
• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension and collapse^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence, insomnia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety, hallucinations
• Postmarketing reports: Sleep disorders, hyperactivity^[Ref]

Further information

Brethaire side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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