terbutaline sulfate at a glance
Medicine class
Short-acting selective beta2-adrenergic agonist bronchodilator.
Main role
Relieves or prevents reversible airway narrowing in asthma and other bronchopulmonary disorders.
Available forms
Selected products include a dry-powder inhaler, nebuliser solution and clinician-administered injection. The selected tablet product is discontinued.
What is terbutaline sulfate used for?
Selected products are licensed for:
Relief and prevention of bronchospasm in asthma and other lung disorders involving reversible airway narrowing.
Nebulised treatment of severe bronchospasm.
Clinician-administered injection when parenteral treatment is appropriate.
Restricted management of uncomplicated premature labour in an appropriately equipped clinical setting.
How does terbutaline sulfate work?
Terbutaline stimulates beta2 receptors, relaxing bronchial smooth muscle and opening narrowed airways. It also relaxes uterine muscle, explaining the injection’s restricted obstetric use.
terbutaline sulfate preparations and strengths
Inhaled preparation
Route: Inhaled
Strengths: 0.5 mg/dose, 2.5 mg/mL
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 0.5 mg/mL
How to take terbutaline sulfate
Use only the prescribed formulation and follow its leaflet and device training.
For the Turbohaler, hold it upright while loading, breathe out away from it, seal your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe in deeply and forcefully. Do not breathe out through the device.
When practical, rinse your mouth after using the Turbohaler. Keep the mouthpiece dry and have your technique checked regularly.
Use respules only with the prescribed nebuliser and as demonstrated by a healthcare professional. Home rescue nebulisers for children require specialist initiation and supervision.
Swallow tablets only if you have a valid supply and current instructions; the selected tablet product is discontinued.
Injection or infusion is prepared and administered by trained healthcare professionals.
terbutaline sulfate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Tremor or shakiness
- Headache
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Reduced blood potassium
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden worsening wheeze immediately after inhalation
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling, low blood pressure or collapse
- Chest pain, myocardial ischaemia or a significant abnormal heart rhythm
- Lactic acidosis, particularly during high-intensity nebulised or injectable treatment
terbutaline sulfate in pregnancy
Do not stop prescribed asthma treatment solely because of pregnancy. Product information advises caution during the first trimester and, for oral or nebulised maintenance treatment, near the end of pregnancy. Injectable treatment for premature labour is restricted to specialist care after maternal and fetal assessment.
terbutaline sulfate interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines, including eye drops and non-prescription products.
Non-selective beta-blockers, including propranolol and timolol eye drops
May partly or completely block the bronchodilator effect and should not normally be used together.
Diuretics, corticosteroids and methylxanthines such as theophylline
Can increase potassium loss and the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.
Digoxin
Low potassium caused by beta agonists can increase susceptibility to digoxin toxicity.
Common questions about terbutaline sulfate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is terbutaline sulfate a reliever or preventer?
Inhaled terbutaline is a short-acting reliever. It does not treat airway inflammation or replace prescribed anti-inflammatory asthma treatment.
Why is my inhaler not helping as well as before?
Poor technique, an empty device or worsening airway disease may be responsible. Reduced relief or increasing reliance requires prompt clinical review.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.