Asthma Channel
Topics & Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Brethine Side Effects
Nervousness, headaches, and tremors are among the most common side effects reported with Brethine. Side effects of the medication are generally mild and either don't require medical attention or can easily be treated. However, certain side effects are more serious and should be reported to a healthcare provider. A few of these more serious problems include anxiety, difficulty breathing, and high blood pressure.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Brethine® (terbutaline sulfate); however, not everyone who takes the medication will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Brethine. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Brethine side effects with you.)
Brethine has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to those that occur in another group of people not taking the drug. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they occurred, and how they compared to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common Brethine side effects included:
- Nervousness -- in up to 35 percent of people
- Shakiness (tremors) -- up to 15 percent
- Headaches -- up to 7.5 percent
- Drowsiness -- up to 5.5 percent
- Heart palpitations (feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart) -- up to 5 percent.
Some other common problems, occurring in 1 percent to 4 percent of people, included:
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Flushing or hot flashes
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Weakness
- Increased sweating.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD