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Terbutaline Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 8, 2023.

Applies to terbutaline: oral tablet. Other dosage forms:

Warning

Oral route (Tablet)

Oral terbutaline sulfate has not been approved and should not be used for acute or maintenance tocolysis. In particular, terbutaline sulfate should not be used for maintenance tocolysis in the outpatient or home setting. Serious adverse reactions, including death, have been reported after administration of terbutaline sulfate to pregnant women. In the mother, these adverse reactions include increased heart rate, transient hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary edema and myocardial ischemia. Increased fetal heart rate and neonatal hypoglycemia may occur as a result of maternal administration.

Serious side effects of Terbutaline

Along with its needed effects, terbutaline 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

Less common

Rare

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

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Terbutaline

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

Less common

Rare

For Healthcare Professionals

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

General

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

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.[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]

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]

References

1. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

3. Product Information. Terbutaline Sulfate (terbutaline). Athenex Pharmaceuticals. 2017.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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