My obstetrician prescribed terbutaline for preterm labor. What kind of drug is it?
Terbutaline (also known as Brethine and Bricanyl) is an asthma drug in the drug class of beta-adrenergics. It is not approved by the FDA for use as a preterm labor drug; it is used “off label” for this purpose. It is typically prescribed in the pill form (2.5 or 5 mg pills at 3- 4- or 6-hour intervals) or by subcutaneous injection of terbutaline sulfate (aka the terbutaline pump, with dosages of at least 3 mg per 24-hours). Terbutaline relaxes bronchial tubes and eases asthma symptoms. It also is thought to relax the muscles of the uterus.
