Terbutaline Sulphate

Registered South African indications:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Bronchospasm

Contraindication

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients

Cautions

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding 
• Thyrotoxicosis
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Ischaemic heart disease
• Arrhythmia
• Severe heart failure
• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus
• Acute severe asthma 
• Hypokalaemia
• Glaucoma
• Seizures

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: inh

Acute asthma exacerbation 
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

• Inhaled (inh): 0.50mg, 4-6 hrly as needed; Max: 2mg/24hrs

Patients should be advised to rinse their mouth after each use to minimize unnecessary systemic exposure to terbutaline

Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: inh

Acute asthma

Younger than 5 years

• Not established for use

Older than 5 years

• Inhaled (inh): 0.5mg, 4-6hrly as needed; Max: 2mg/24hrs

Patients should be advised to rinse their mouth after each use to minimize unnecessary systemic exposure to terbutaline

Pregnancy 

• Caution
• Although no teratogenic effects have been observed in animals or in patients, terbutaline sulphate should only be administered with caution during the first trimester of pregnancy

Breastfeeding

• Caution
• Terbutaline is secreted via breast milk but any effect on the infant is unlikely at therapeutic doses

Renal Impairment 

• No dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment 

• No dose adjustment recommended

Elderly

• No dose adjustment recommended

Porphyria Information

• Not porphyrinogenic (NP)

Drugs in Sport

• Prohibited - At all times

Central Nervous System Disorders

• Tremor
• Headache
• Sleep disorders
• Behavioural disturbances
• Agitation
• Restlessness
• Hyperactivity

Cardiovascular Disorders

• Tachycardia
• Palpitations
• Arrhythmias
• Tachycardia
• Extrasystoles
• Myocardial ischaemia 
• Peripheral vasodilation

Respiratory Disorders

• Paradoxical bronchospasm 

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Nausea
• Mouth and throat irritation

Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders

• Hypokalaemia
• Hyperglycaemia

Musculoskeletal Disorders

• Muscle spasms

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Urticaria
• Rash
• Exanthema

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Hypersensitivity reactions 
• Anaphylaxis

• Non-selective beta blockers
• Sympathomimetics
• Halogenated anaesthetics  
• Potassium-depleting diuretics
• Methylxanthines
• Corticosteroids

None routine. Specific cases may require 

• Serum potassium
• Blood glucose

Terbutaline sulfate is a selective beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist. It relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, inhibits the release of endogenous spasmogens, inhibits oedema caused by endogenous mediators, increases mucociliary clearance and relaxes the uterine muscle.

Turbohaler (per dose) 0.5mg

• Brincanyl Turbuhaler (AstraZeneca) originator