Cerebral ischemia associated with parenteral terbutaline use in pregnant migraine patients.

Two pregnant patients with a history of migraine each developed evidence of cerebral ischemia while being treated with subcutaneous terbutaline, for asthma in one case and for tocolysis in the other. The evidence for cerebral ischemia as well as the occurrence of strokes associated with pregnancy or migraine is discussed. Mechanisms by which a selective beta 2 agonist could affect cerebral vasculature are unknown. Until more is known we recommend that pregnant patients with migraine or vascular headache not be given terbutaline.