FDA warns against certain uses of asthma drug terbutaline for preterm labor

[annettemarie]

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm243840.htm

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning that terbutaline administered by injection or through an infusion pump should not be used in pregnant women for prevention or prolonged (beyond 48-72 hours) treatment of preterm labor due to the potential for serious maternal heart problems and death. In addition, oral terbutaline tablets should not be used for prevention or treatment of preterm labor. The FDA is requiring the addition of a Boxed Warning and Contraindication to the drug prescribing information (labeling) to warn against these uses.

[lovebeingamomma]

thank you for posting!  I've been feeling like it was wrong/risky for them to give me that my last two pregnancies.  Never again!

[annettemarie]

I'm on a list for women with peripartum cardiomyopathy and a lot of them had this drug. It doesn't cause PPCM, but can be a tipping point for heart failure, apparently. I had 4 breathing treatments during labor because we mistook heart failure for an asthma attack. I can't help but wonder what was in those breathing treatments, and if that maybe was the straw that broke the camel's back for my heart.