FDA Warns That Terbutaline Can Cause Maternal Heart Problems and Even Death During Pregnancy - Pennsylvania Defective Product,Birth Defect, and Malpractice Lawyers Investigating Cases
On February 17, 2011, The FDA issued a warning that the drug Terbutaline, also known as brethine, Bricanyl, Brethaire, or Terbulin, that are given to mothers in preterm labor, can cause heart problems or even death.
Dr. Scott Monroe, M.D., who is the Director of the FDA’s Division of Reproductive and Urologic Products released a statement indicating that “Women should be aware that serious and sometimes fatal side effects have been reported after prolonged use of terbutaline in pregnant women."
Terbutaline is a medication that is FDA-approved to help relax the breathing airways in patients with asthma, bronchitis, COPD, or emphysema. Terbutaline is also used to help stop premature labor or an over active uterus sometimes referred to as uterus hyperstimulation. However, there is no solid evidence that the use of Terbutaline during pregnancy improves the baby’s outcome.
According to the literature, there has been 16 maternal deaths associated with the use of Terbutaline, In addition, there has also been 12 documented cases of pregnant women who developed a myocardial infarction or heart attack, pulmonary edema, fast heart rates or tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmias or irregular heart beats after being given Terbutaline. These are just the documented cases of heart problems after a mother was given Terbutaline for premature or preterm labor. There could be many more cases that we just do not know about yet.
The Pennsylvania pharmaceutical lawyers and Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Reiff & Bily together with the legendary Beasley Philadelphia product liability and wrongful death law firm has successfully represented the rights of injured consumers against some of the world’s largest drug companies and together have recovered awards on behalf of injured clients in excess of $2 billion dollars.
If you or a loved one developed heart problems as a result of a the drug Terbutaline, please contact us online at www.reiffandbily.com or toll free at 1-800-421-9595.
