Terbutaline

What is terbutaline?

Terbutaline belongs to a group of medicines called beta2-agonists. These relax certain muscles and help to open up the airways in the lungs, making breathing easier.

Terbutaline does not prevent the warning signs of asthma. Your child may need to use a preventer medicine regularly.

Terbutaline also helps prevent shortness of breath and wheezing during exercise, that is, exercise-induced asthma.

You may hear terbutaline called by its brand name, Bricanyl. Terbutaline comes in a dry powder inhaler form (turbuhaler).

Before giving terbutaline to your child

Tell your doctor if your child is allergic to terbutaline or any other part of this medicine.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• high blood pressure
• heart or blood vessel disease, especially uneven heartbeats
• overactive thyroid
• diabetes
• seizures

How should you give your child terbutaline?

Follow these instructions when you give your child terbutaline:

• Give this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you change the amount of terbutaline you give your child.
• Have your child breathe the terbutaline in through the mouth.
• If you are not sure how to give your child this medicine, ask the pharmacist or the nurse in the Asthma Clinic to show you.
• If your child has exercise-induced asthma, give terbutaline 15 to 20 minutes before playing or exercise.
• If your child uses terbutaline with a preventer medicine, use terbutaline first. Terbutaline opens the airways, which lets the preventer medicine enter deeper and better into the lungs.
• Wait 5 minutes between giving terbutaline and the preventer medicine. Waiting 5 minutes lets the airways open up enough so that the preventer medicine is better absorbed.
• Your child may not taste or feel anything when breathing in the terbutaline. The medicine is a very fine, dry powder.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of terbutaline?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child two doses to make up for one missed dose.

How long does terbutaline take to work?

Your child should begin to breathe easier within 5 to 10 minutes after taking terbutaline.

What are the possible side effects of terbutaline?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take terbutaline. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, and they do not go away, or they bother your child:

• headache
• shaking
• fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• nervousness or restlessness
• bad taste in the mouth
• nausea or vomiting
• dry mouth and cough
• inability to sleep
• sore throat or mouth and trouble swallowing

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to the Emergency Department if your child:

• has signs of a life-threatening reaction including wheezing, chest tightness, fever, itching, bad cough, blue skin colour, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behaviour
• is unable to get the breathing attack under control
• has seizures

What safety measures should you take when your child is using terbutaline?

Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that the doctor can check your child's reaction to terbutaline. The doctor may need to change the dose so that your child is getting the right amount.

These warning signs indicate that your child's asthma is getting worse and that your child needs to see their doctor:

• Symptoms become worse or more frequent, such as coughing, attacks of wheezing, chest tightness, or severe breathlessness.
• Your child wakes up at night with chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath.
• Your child is missing school or other activities because of asthma.

Reliever medications like terbutaline do nothing for the underlying problem of inflammation. Relievers are only a short-term solution to breathing problems. Monitor how often your child uses their reliever. Increased use over time is telling you the asthma is worsening and your child may need a preventer medication.

If your child also uses a corticosteroid or another bronchodilator (reliever), they must continue to use these medicines. Your child should not stop taking these medicines, even if your child seems better, unless you are told to do so by your doctor.

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).

What other important information should you know about terbutaline?

• Terbutaline does not prevent the warning signs and the danger signs of asthma. Your child may be prescribed a preventer inhaler to be used regularly as well.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Make sure you always have enough terbutaline to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep terbutaline at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep terbutaline out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much terbutaline, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.