Terbutaline, med. used to stopped contractions? PLEASE HELP!!?

Question

I am 32 weeks pregnant and I have already gone into threthened preterm labor where the contractions begin, but I do not dilate.
I have done some research on the drug, and have found sites that are from other women who have used the drug and say they're babies had no problems. I have also found sites where they link this drug to autism and several other abnormalities in babies who's mothers took Terbutaline.
I have yet to find one respectable medical site that clearly states that this drug is safe to use during pregnancy. It is actually not FDA approved, however, all cases with children who have allegedly suffered because of this drug have never been noted in the medical files.
My question, does any one have input on this medication or even any experience with this medication?
This is what I was able to find, can anyone else share anything they have found on it?
I am at a point where I really feel that taking this medication is risky. Can anyone relate?

Answer 1

For two of my three pregnancys I was given Terbutaline. Both of my children are healthy and happy. It really doesn't matter what your Bishop score is, if you are in active pre-mature labor the doctor is not going to inferfear with mother nature. Everything under the sun has been linked to Autism. It is not FDA approved for pre-term labor, but your doctor had to outweigh the risk for you and the baby. Look it as- If he/she hadn't given me the Terbutaline, my baby could have been born too early to survive. Every day your baby stays in the womb till closer to the due date is better for Him/Her. BTW - CONGRATULATIONS! Good Luck!

Answer 2

Of course it's risky, but the major risks are cardiovascular. It's similar to epinephrine, and as a matter of fact was first (and still is) marketed as a substitute for epinephrine in the treatment of asthma.
If you dig around from a different perspective, you'll see what drives obstetricians mad: there are all sorts of illnesses in infants that are poorly understood, and medical treatments often get blamed. There is, after all, an economic reason to do so. There is no such thing as absolute truth in medicine, but as close as you can get is the case of Bendectin, which was known to be a perfectly safe treatment for morning sickness but sued off the market by people alleging birth defects.
By the way, the fact that it's an off-label use is meaningless. It's been standard treatment for over twenty years, so there's hardly any reason for the manufacturers of a drug (with no profit, since the patents have expired) to go to the expense of submitting it to the FDA for approval. All the lack of FDA approval means is that the drug companies can't advertise its use for this indication. That point is often misunderstood by lay people. But it's produced in quantity, which tells you something, since it's rarely used any more for the treatment of asthma.

Answer 3

Terbutaline is NOT FDA-approved for preterm labor and you will not find any legitimate site that will state it is safe for this purpose.

I use this medicine to treat patients with asthma and asthma-related illnesses only and I would not suggest this as potential treatment for preterm labor.

I had a high Bishop's score at 32 weeks and walked around dilated at 4.5 cm for 5 weeks until my body decided it was time to deliver naturally. My baby was perfect and I was at peace knowing she was not exposed to medications that could have changed her well-being.

Talk to your OB/GYN and tell him/her that you are not comfortable with a non FDA-approved regimen to treat your preterm condition. If your provider is not helpful, then request to speak to another doctor or specialist who IS willing to listen to you. As a patient and the mother who has the rights to your baby, you are entitled to care that is acceptable to you.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Terbutaline actually suppresses contraction partially, it doesn't stop contraction. It is used to suppress premature labor.Terbutaline use for premature labour is actually an off-label use not approved by the FDA. Studies have suggested that terbutaline is a developmental neurotoxicant and may cause brain damage to the infant.
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/308/2/529
However, experience on its effectiveness made its continued usage despite of few reported adverse effects. Important to note that it is not for anyone just to use, it needs doctors directives and monitoring of the mother is usually required upon using it. Premature labor requires close observation by a trained health worker anyway. So if you are on a threatened premature labor, you need to see a doctor at once not to take risk compromising your health and your unborn baby as well. You may add risk to both of you by taking terbutaline by yourself. Take care.