Terbutaline Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 3, 2025.

Applies to terbutaline: oral tablet.

Other dosage forms:

• subcutaneous solution

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for any unwanted effects.

Using this medicine to prevent or treat preterm labor can harm pregnant women. This medicine may increase risk of heart problems and other serious side effects when given to a pregnant woman for a long time. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor at once if difficulty with breathing continues after using a dose of this medicine or if your condition gets worse.

You may also be taking an anti-inflammatory medicine (e.g., corticosteroids) for asthma along with this medicine. Do not stop taking the anti-inflammatory medicine even if your asthma seems better, unless you are told to do so by your doctor.

If you develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, stop using the medicine and check with your doctor right away.

Hypokalemia may occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of the following symptoms: convulsions; decreased urine; dry mouth; increased thirst; irregular heartbeat; loss of appetite; mood changes; muscle pain or cramps; nausea or vomiting; numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips; shortness of breath; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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:

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 or discomfort
• 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
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• mood changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pounding in the ears
• seizures
• shortness of breath
• sleeplessness
• slow or fast heartbeat
• trouble sleeping
• unable to sleep
• unusual tiredness or weakness

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:

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]

See also:

Further information

Terbutaline 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.

Medical Disclaimer