Terbutaline (Brethine, Brethaire, Bricanyl)

Category:

  • Respiratory

Description:

  • Antiasthmatic, bronchodilator, tocolytic

Indications:

  • Bronchospasm (asthma, COPD)

  • Premature labor (not FDA approved indication)

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category B; compatible with breast feeding

  • Cardiac disorders, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, prostatic hypertrophy

  • Elderly, hypertensive, glaucoma

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: anxiety, dizziness, headache, insomnia, nervousness, shakiness, tremor

  • CV: angina, cardiac arrest, dysrhythmias, hypertension, palpitations, tachycardia

  • GI: elevated liver enzymes, nausea, vomiting

Dosage:

Administered via inhalation, subcutaneously, intravenously, and orally

  • Adult: 

    • Bronchospasm: 

      • INH 2 puffs separated by 1 minute every 4-6 hours

      • PO 2.5-5mg every 8 hours to max 15mg daily

      • SC 0.25mg, may repeat once in 15-30 minutes

    • Premature labor: 

      • SC 0.25mg every hour

      • IV INF 0.01 mg/min, titrate upward to max of 0.08 mg/min; maintain at minimum effective dose for 4 hours

      • PO 5mg every 4 hours for 48 hours, then 5mg every 6 hours as maintenance for above doses

  • Child:   

    • INH 1-2 puffs every 4-6 hours

    • PO 0.05 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours, increased gradually to 0.15 mg/kg/dose to max daily dose 5mg (<12 years)

    • SC 0.005-0.01 mg/kg/dose to max 0.4 mg/kg/dose every 15-20 minutes for 2 doses

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300  


OB-GYN 101: Introductory Obstetrics & Gynecology
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