Inhibition of human pancreatic secretion by terbutaline as a potential agent for treating patients with pancreatic fistula.

We studied the effects of terbutaline on secretin-stimulated duodenal juice output in six healthy volunteers. When administered intravenously to healthy volunteers, terbutaline significantly inhibited secretin-stimulated output of duodenal juice and bicarbonate. After administration of terbutaline to one patient with an external pancreatic fistula, daily output of pancreatic juice decreased and the fistula closed. Significant side effects were not observed. These observations suggest that terbutaline inhibits human pancreatic secretion. Terbutaline may be useful in treating patients with external pancreatic fistula.