Blog

Asthma and pre-term labor medication Terbutaline warning due to infant brain damage

Posted on December 1st, 2011 by Robert D. Rowland

Terbutaline, an asthma medication that’s commonly prescribed to halt pre-term labor and premature birth, has been shown to leave the brains of children susceptible to other chemicals ubiquitously present in the environment. A Duke University Medical Center study found that rats exposed to Terbutaline suffer greater brain cell damage than those not given the drug upon secondary exposure to insecticides.

Nearly 20 percent of all pregnancies in the United States result in early labor, and an estimated one million women are treated with Terbutaline or similar drugs to halt early contractions every year. The use of Terbutaline for use in pre-term labor and premature birth is not approved by the FDA. In fact, in 1997 the FDA issued its first warning concerning the potential dangers associated with the use of Terbutaline for the treatment and prevention of pre-term labor.

Studies show a link between the use of Terbutaline during pregnancy and an increased risk of brain damage and cognitive deficits, which may become noticeable at infancy, continue through adolescence and cause permanent disabilities. Researchers at Duke suggest that exposure predisposes newborns and infants to fall victim to particular ailments and medical conditions later in life.

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program has now recommended women with asthma no longer take Terbutaline while they are pregnant, as the drug may penetrate to the fetus and affect brain development.

Terbutaline is sold under the brand names Brethine and Bricanyl. If you or a loved one has suffered from the effects of this drug, contact Robert D. Rowland.