Question

I am a breastfeeding mother and i want to know if it is safe to use Terbutaline? Is Terbutaline safe for nursing mother and child? Does Terbutaline extracts into breast milk? Does Terbutaline has any long term or short term side effects on infants? Can Terbutaline influence milk supply or can Terbutaline decrease milk supply in lactating mothers?

Terbutaline lactation summary

Terbutaline is safe in breastfeeding
  • DrLact safety Score for Terbutaline is 1 out of 8 which is considered Safe as per our analyses.
  • A safety Score of 1 indicates that usage of Terbutaline is mostly safe during lactation for breastfed baby.
  • Our study of different scientific research also indicates that Terbutaline does not cause any serious side effects in breastfeeding mothers.
  • Most of scientific studies and research papers declaring usage of Terbutaline safe in breastfeeding are based on normal dosage and may not hold true for higher dosage.
  • Score calculated using the DrLact safety Version 1.2 model, this score ranges from 0 to 8 and measures overall safety of drug in lactation. Scores are primarily calculated using publicly available case studies, research papers, other scientific journals and publically available data.

Answer by Dr. Ru: About Terbutaline usage in lactation

It is excreted into breast milk in clinically non-significant amount and neither clinical nor development problems were observed in infants whose mothers were treated with oral terbutaline.Plasma levels of these infants were undetectable or very low. Preferable preparations are inhaled bronchodilators since <10% of the dose is absorbed. American Academy of Pediatrics: medication usually compatible with breastfeeding.

Answer by DrLact: About Terbutaline usage in lactation

Maternal use of oral or inhaled terbutaline is unlikely to affect a breastfed infant. The authors of several reviews and an expert panel agree that use of inhaled bronchodilators is acceptable during breastfeeding because of the low bioavailability and maternal serum levels after use.[1][2][3][4][5] Terbutaline use as a tocolytic agent might decrease the duration of breastfeeding.

Terbutaline Side Effects in Breastfeeding

Two papers have reported a total of 4 infants aged 3 to 8 weeks who were breastfed during maternal use of oral terbutaline 2.5 or 5 mg three times daily. None of the infants had any signs of sympathetic stimulation and all were developing normally.[6][7] These cases were also summarized in a third publication.[8]

Terbutaline Possible Effects in Breastfeeding

A small retrospective survey from Serbia found that mothers who received a beta agonist pharmacologically similar to terbutaline (fenoterol or hexoprenaline) as a tocolytic breastfed for a shorter period of time than those who received no tocolytic (4.5 vs 9.5 months).[9] It is not known if terbutaline has a similar effect.
Disclaimer: Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. We do not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.