In February 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a stern warning against using Terbutaline to prevent pre-term labor. The agency said Terbutaline appears to be ineffective at delaying premature births and poses serious health risks for pregnant women who take it for more than 72 hours.
Terbutaline is an asthma medication sold under the brand names Brethine and Bricanyl. Although approved to help asthma sufferers, doctors also prescribe it to treat pre-term labor, despite the FDA not approving it for that specific use. The National Asthma Education and Prevention program recently recommended that doctors not prescribe Terbutaline to pregnant women who have mild intermittent asthma.
Each year, approximately 1 million women use Terbutaline to stop early contractions. Doctors can prescribe injections, pills or rectal administration. Studies have shown a link between Terbutaline use during pregnancy and an increased risk of brain damage and cognitive deficits in infants.
Why Terbutaline is a Dangerous Drug
Terbutaline contains epinephrine, a hormone women release under stress. Epinephrine causes the uterus to relax, thus reducing the frequency and number of birth contractions. The woman can also experience a racing heartbeat, flushing, tremors and restlessness. These effects are usually not serious.
However, 1 to 5 percent of women experience serious side effects such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat and pulmonary edema (extra fluid in the lungs). These effects result from both standard and high doses of Terbutaline. The drug can also increase a woman’s short-term risk for diabetes and raise blood sugar levels in women who already have diabetes.
Terbutaline also presents risks to the woman’s baby. Possible side effects for the baby include:
- Fast heartbeat
- Poor blood flow
- Jaundice
- Bleeding within the brain or heart
- Low blood pressure
- Enlarged heart
- High levels of insulin in the blood
- Low or high levels of sugar in the blood
The side effects for mother and baby can occur during pregnancy or after birth. Despite the FDA’s warnings about Terbutaline, it says that doctors continue to prescribe the drug for prolonged use with serious and sometimes fatal results.
If you or your child has suffered injuries due to Terbutaline, contact an experienced drug attorney for information about a possible lawsuit. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your and your baby’s injuries and suffering.