Terbutaline Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 26, 2024.
Applies to terbutaline: subcutaneous solution. Other dosage forms:
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
- 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
- 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 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
- Drowsiness
Less common
- Pain at the injection site
- weakness
Rare
- 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
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]
More about terbutaline
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Patient resources
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- Terbutaline (Oral) (Advanced Reading)
- Terbutaline (Subcutaneous) (Advanced Reading)
- Terbutaline Tablets
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Related treatment guides
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.