Short-acting β2-agonist (SABA)
Terbutaline sulfate
Brand names: Bricanyl
Adult dose
Dose: Asthma: 500 micrograms inhaled PRN. Severe: 250–500 micrograms SC/IM. Tocolysis: short-term IV (specialist)
Route: Inhaled/SC/IM/IV
Frequency: PRN
Clinical pearls
- Asthma reliever (alternative to salbutamol); short-term tocolysis
- MHRA: short-term tocolytic only ≤48h
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Severe untreated cardiac disease (high-dose)
Side effects
- Tremor
- Tachycardia
- Headache
- Hypokalaemia
- Lactic acidosis (high-dose IV)
- Hyperglycaemia
Interactions
- β-blockers (avoid)
- Diuretics (hypokalaemia)
- Other sympathomimetics
Monitoring
- K+
- HR
- Symptoms
Reference: BNF; BTS/SIGN; MHRA; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/terbutaline-sulfate/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
- Cervical Cerclage Criteria (Short Cervix / Preterm Risk) · Preterm Labour
- Montreal Cognitive — Short Screening for Substance Misuse · Substance Misuse Screening
- Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (SMAST) · Alcohol Use
- Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test — Geriatric Version (SMAST-G) · Alcohol Use
- Asthma Control Test (ACT) · Asthma
- ICIQ-UI Short Form (Urinary Incontinence) · Incontinence
Pathways
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024
- Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CURB-65) · BTS 2009 / NICE NG138
- Acute Pulmonary Embolism · BTS 2003 / ESC 2019
- Pleural Effusion Assessment · BTS 2010