The Drug Terbutaline And What It Is Used For
The drug terbutaline is a bronchodilator drug that belongs to the group of Beta-2 receptors, which is a group of adrenergic receptors.
For this reason, terbutaline is primarily indicated for the short-term treatment of asthma. However, medical professionals also use it to fight other diseases, such as those that manifest themselves with lung obstructions, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The use of terbutaline is approved in children since it exists in liquid form for aerosol administration. Oddly enough, it is a drug that can test positive in doping tests. It can also cause cardiac arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia and extra heartbeats.
However, we will dive deeper into the side effects of this article.
This is how asthma is triggered
It is important to know that healthcare professionals primarily indicate the drug terbutaline for asthma. In this way you can better understand the mechanism of action and the properties of the drug.
Asthma is an upper respiratory disease. It causes the bronchi to narrow and become inflamed. The patient therefore experiences difficulty breathing. It can cause wheezing, coughing or severe lack of oxygen.
However, the causes of this disease are not clearly identified. Experts agree that both environmental and genetic factors are likely to play a role in the development of this disease. Furthermore, exposure to several factors may aggravate asthma. However, these triggers can vary from person to person, as well as the severity of the symptoms.
Among the most common triggers we can mention:
- Pollen, dust mites and animal hair.
- Sports or physical activity.
- Cold air.
- Stress and anxiety.
- Certain foods and medicines.
How does the medicine terbutaline work?
As we mentioned above, terbutaline is a Beta-2 receptor, a group of adrenergic agonists, and has negligible effects on α-receptors. Activation of beta 2 receptors triggers, among other things, bronchodilation. As the lungs contain many of these receptors, terbutaline causes severe bronchodilation, which is why it works for asthma.
However, it is important to note that this drug may trigger tolerance in the patient who uses it. Experts demonstrated in clinical trials that the use of beta-2 agonists for 12 months or more may accelerate airway deterioration in asthmatic patients.
In addition, it is important to note that terbutaline also affects the heart, as this organ also contains many beta-2 receptors. This drug is therefore, like all other beta-2 agonists, cardiostimulating. However, terbutaline is a drug that professionals use specifically to try to reverse recurrent asthma attacks and acute bronchospasm.
Side effects of the drug terbutaline
Like all medicines on the market, terbutaline can cause a number of side effects that you need to consider if you are using it. Misuse of this drug can lead to serious health consequences. Therefore, you should always follow the doctor’s and pharmacist’s instructions and always tell them about any discomfort you feel from the beginning of treatment.
Regarding the side effects that beta-2 agonists usually trigger, we can mention that the most common are:
- Trembling
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Tachycardia and palpitations
- Muscle cramps
In addition, one can also experience bronchospasm. If this happens, the patient will have to administer another bronchodilator immediately.
The drug terbutaline: Conclusion
Terbutaline is a widely used drug for the treatment of asthma. This is a bronchodilator drug that owes its effectiveness to the ability to stimulate beta-2 receptors in the lungs. However, since these receptors are also found in other organs, terbutaline can trigger other side effects that the patient must take into account when starting treatment with this medicine.
