Drug
Terbutaline
Pronounced
"ter-BYOO-ta-leen"
Uses
Terbutaline is used to treat wheezing and shortness of breath from lung problems (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis and emphysema). Controlling these symptoms can decrease time lost from work or school. Terbutaline belongs to a class of drugs known as bronchodilators. It works by relaxing the muscles around the airways so that they open up and you can breathe more easily.
Warning
Terbutaline should not be used to prevent or treat early labor, since it has risks to the mother that are greater than the benefits. Serious (sometimes fatal) side effects have rarely occurred in mothers taking terbutaline during labor, such as chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeats, and trouble breathing. If you are pregnant or become pregnant and are taking terbutaline for another medical condition (such as asthma), talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether terbutaline is still right for you.
How to Use This Medication
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 3 times daily. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not take more of this medication or take it more often than recommended by your doctor. If you have been directed to use this medication on a daily schedule, use it regularly at the same times each day in order to get the most benefit from it.
If you take other asthma drugs by mouth or inhaling devices, ask your doctor about how to correctly take this medication with your other asthma medicines.
If you notice less effect than usual from this medication, if your symptoms get worse, or if you feel you need to take any of your asthma medications more often than recommended, get medical help right away.