AIM | Medications

Medications

Medication Type	Quick Relief
Brand Names	Brethine®
Generic Names	Terbutaline sulfate
Description	This tablet or subqutaneous solution causes muscles around the airways to relax, opening them for easier breathing.
Dosage	Tablets: 2.5 and 5.0 mg tablets available. Adults greater than 15 years old take 5mg three times a day, approximately 6 hours intervals unless side effects are intolerable. In which case, 2.5mg three times a day should be taken. Children 12-15 years old take 2.5mg three times a day with a maximum of 7.5mg per day. Subcutaneous injection: Adults greater than 15 years old take 0.25mg every 15-30 minutes, with a maximum of 0.5mg in a four-hour interval. Children 13 years of age and older take 0.25 mg subcutaneously. If clinical improvement is not seen within 15-30 minutes, a second dose of 0.25 mg may be administered.
Precautions	Patients with cardiovascular disease (including high blood pressure), hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or seizure disorder should use caution when taking this medication.
Side Effects	Irregular heart rate, shakiness, dizziness, headache, increased heart rate, vomiting, heartburn, and contractions of the airways leading to irritation.
Proper Use	Use in patients 12 years of age and older with asthma for prevention and reversal of bronchospasm.
Common Interactions	Other sympathomimetics, antiarrhythmic agents (amiodarone, bretylium, disopyramide, dofetilide, procainamide, quinidine, and sotalol), arsenic trioxide, chlorpromazine, cisapride, dolasetron, droperidol, mefloquine, moxifloxacin, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine), propranolol and other beta-blockers (atenolol, esmolol, betaxolol, penbutolol, carteolol, bisoprolol, pindolol, metoprolol, timolol, sotalol, acebutolol, nadolol).
Proper Storage	Keep clean and dry. Protect from light.