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Terbutaline (Brethine/Bricanyl) Preterm Labor Claims Lawyers

In Maryland, Washington, D.C.,
Pennsylvania, and Delaware

Preterm Labor

A pregnancy normally lasts for a term of 38-42 weeks. Preterm labor is defined as labor that begins prior to that term (at week 37 or earlier). About 10% of infants are born prematurely according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). If a woman is pregnant with multiples (twins or more), she is generally at a higher risk of preterm labor than if she is carrying a single baby.

Since premature babies have not had adequate time to fully develop, they may have health problems and developmental issues as they grow older. Whenever possible, doctors will try to minimize potentially serious health consequences for a baby by trying to make the mother's pregnancy last for the normal time range of 38-42 weeks. Thus, a doctor may use a preterm labor drug or tocolytic agent to help a woman reach full term.

Noted experts contend that an infant has an increased risk of brain damage and other side effects such as autism, developmental delay, speech defects, or movement disorders if the mother was given terbutaline (also sold under the trade names Brethine and Bricanyl) to control preterm labor, and especially if terbutaline was administered for more than 72 hours and/or with the terbutaline pump.

The delivery of terbutaline can be through an infusion pump that delivers a 24-hour schedule of intermittent low and high doses of terbutaline just beneath the skin (subcutaneous delivery). Doctors may have prescribed this method if the oral medication was ineffective or to reduce an expecting mother's length of time in the hospital.

Terbutaline

Doctors often prescribe the asthma drug terbutaline to manage preterm labor. Terbutaline treats asthma by causing the bronchial tubes in the lungs to relax, making breathing easier. Doctors also use terbutaline as a tocolytic agent (a medication that can inhibit labor, or slow down or halt the contractions of the uterus). It is believed to work on the uterus in the same way it works on the bronchial tubes, by relaxing the labor contractions.

If you were prescribed terbutaline (also known as Brethine or Bricanyl) for preterm labor, and you believe that you or your child is suffering serious side effects from the administration of this drug, please contact us.

Our pharmaceutical injury lawyers represent terbutaline victims in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and Delaware.. Please email or call one of our terbutaline injury attorneys to schedule a free confidential consultation and initial evaluation of your terbutaline injury case.