About terbutalin e
Short-acting beta-2 bronchodilator
Used for
- Relief of wheezing and breathing difficulty from reversible airway narrowing, such as asthma.
Usual adult dose
Common oral dose: 2.5–5 mg three times daily; dosing depends on the product and local guidance.
Usual dose in children
For children aged 3–12 years, commonly 0.075 mg/kg three times daily; age-specific limits apply.
Common side effects
- Tremor, nervousness, or headache
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations
- Muscle cramps
- Low blood potassium, especially with high doses
Important warnings
- Oral terbutaline is generally not preferred for asthma; inhaled treatments usually act faster and cause fewer whole-body effects.
- Seek urgent care for severe or worsening breathing difficulty.
- Use caution with heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, diabetes, or overactive thyroid.
- Do not exceed prescribed doses; excessive use can cause serious heart effects.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed and prescribed; terbutaline can affect maternal and fetal heart rates.
Breastfeeding
Limited information is available; use with medical guidance, particularly when nursing a newborn.
Interactions
- Other stimulants or decongestants may increase fast heartbeat and tremor.
- Beta-blockers can reduce terbutaline's airway-opening effect.
- Diuretics or corticosteroids may increase the risk of low blood potassium.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.