DRUG STUDY

GENERIC NAME BRAND NAME DRUG CLASSIFFICATION DOSAGE & FREQUENCY MECHANISM OF ACTION INDICATIONS CONTRA INDICATIONS SIDE EFFECTS NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES

Terbutaline Sulfate

Bricanyl Turbuhaler

Produces bronchodilation by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle through beta 2 receptor stimulation

PO 5 mg 3 times daily, at 6 h intervals during waking hours (max, 15 mg/day). Decrease dosage to 2.5 mg 3 times daily if intolerable adverse reactions occur.

Block bronchodilator effect of terbutaline. Patients with asthma should not normally be treated with beta-blockers. However, under certain circumstances (eg, as prophylaxis after MI), there may be no acceptable alternatives to the use of betablocking agents in patients with asthma. In this setting, cardioselective beta-blockers could be considered, although they should be administered with caution.

For prevention and reversal of bronchospasm associated with asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Acute and maintenance tocolysis (oral) or prolonged tocolysis (injection); hypersensitivity to sympathomimet ic amines or any component of the product.

Palpitations (23%); tachycardia (4%); ventricular extrasystoles (2%); vasodilations (1%).

Advise patient to take tablets with food to avoid GI upset. Inform patient that the drug can stop working over time. If this is noted, advise the patient to notify their health care provider at once. Instruct patient to report these symptoms to health care provider: chest pain, dizziness or headache, palpitations, persisting symptoms of asthma. Advise patients not to use terbutaline more often than prescribed. If symptoms persist, promptly consult a health care provider.