Terbutaline Side Effects Injury Lawsuits. Terbutaline is an asthma medication that is commonly used to treat preterm labor. Terbutaline is sold under the brand names Brethine and Bricanyl. Recent studies have shown a link between the use of ‘Terbutaline’ during pregnancy and an increased risk of brain damage and cognitive deficits in the baby. A recent study conducted at Duke University illustrated the risk of ‘Terbutaline’ to infants.
The study showed that the use of ‘Terbutaline’ might leave the brains of children susceptible to other chemicals ubiquitously present in the environment. The study suggests that certain early drug or chemical exposures can predispose people to particular ailments. Recently, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program has recommended that ‘Terbutaline’ no longer be given to women with mild intermittent asthma while they are pregnant.
FDA Issued Warning
As early as 1997 the FDA issued its first warning about the use of ‘Terbutaline’ Sulfate for the treatment and prevention of preterm labor. Terbutaline sulfate, in various dosage forms, has been approved by FDA for the treatment of asthma but it has be given to pregnant women subcutaneously, to stop early labor. The use of ‘Terbutaline’ sulfate to treat preterm labor is an unapproved or “off-label” use. Premature labor occurs in approximately 20 percent of all pregnancies in the United States.
Of those, an estimated 1 million women annually are treated with ‘Terbutaline’ or related drugs to halt the early contractions. The drugs administered to pregnant women also penetrate to the unborn baby where they affect brain development.
Need Legal Help Regarding Terbutaline?
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