Brethine

Terbutaline, also known and sold under the trade name of Brethine, is a product which belongs to the group of drugs known as bronchodilators. 

This medication is used in the treatment wheezing and shortness of breath, which are symptoms of lung problems, e.g. asthma, chronich obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, and emphysema. 

It is considered to work by opening the airways in order to make the breathing easier. This medication is available in the form of a tablet and an elixir.

Before the decision to start the treatment with this medication is made, it is essential to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as, about the potential side effects and risks. 

For this decision to be made, the beneficial effects must outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together, will have to make. During the consultations, it is important to inform the doctor about:

• Allergies – Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific kind of food, dye, fabric and etc.
• Pediatric – Proper studies done have confirmed that this medication is not safe to be used within children younger than 12 years of age. 
• Geriatric – There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within geriatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used within geriatric patients. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Pregnancy – Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. It is unknown if and how would it affect the fetus. This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Breastfeeding – Proper studies done have confirmed that this medication is extracted in the milk, as well as, that it poses a minimal risk to the infant when it is used within nursing mothers. This medication is not recommended to be used within nursing mothers.
• Drug interactions – Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur. However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain combination, including two or more medications, to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.
• Other interactions – Certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with specific type of food, tobacco and alcohol. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet, and discontinue your use of tobacco and alcohol during the treatment.
• Other medical problems – Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment. Especially, inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present – diabetes, heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, hypokalemia, or seizures. 

For proper use, follow the directions given by your doctor. This medication is available in the forms of a tablet and an elixir. In the following we will explain the oral use of this medication. 

Swallow the tablet whole with or without food, as directed by your doctor. Do not crush, chew or break the tablet. The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your condition. 

This medication is usually taken 3 times, daily. In order to get the most beneficial effects from its use, remember to take each dose regularly. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up.

 This medication is harmful in case of an overdose. If an overdose is suspected, inform the doctor as soon as possible for further directions.

Visit your doctor regularly, at your scheduled appointments, so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if needed. 

These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue your treatment with this medications, if there are any serious side effects present, that would worsen your condition, or if your condition does not improve. 

Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this medication may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur. Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. 

This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. At least two proven forms of birth control should be used during the treatment with this medication, to help prevent pregnancy. 

Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. This medication is not recommended to be used within nursing mothers, due to the proven studies done, which confirm that this medication is extracted in the milk, and that it poses a minimal risk to the infant. 

This medication may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid driving and any other activities that require alertness during the treatment. 

Along with the expected beneficial effects, there are potential side effects which could occur. These side effects do not occur within all patients, also they could be mild or more serious. 

However, it is essential to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor as soon as possible for further directions.

 

Common side effects:

• nervousness
• shaking (tremor)
• dizziness
• drowsiness or 
• headache

These are common side effects, which are not considered as serious. However, if their presence persists or worsens, inform the doctor as soon as possible.

Serious side effects:

• fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat
• chest pain
• muscle cramps or 
• weakness

These are serious side effects, whose presence must be reported to the doctor as soon as possible.

A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is not common. However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor right away – skin rash, itching/swelling of the face/tongue/hands/feet, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness.