Terbutaline tocolysis and glucose intolerance.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether there is an increased incidence of glucose intolerance in association with chronic terbutaline therapy, administered either orally or as a continuous subcutaneous infusion.

METHODS

Sixty-nine women received terbutaline, orally (38 subjects) or as a continuous subcutaneous infusion (31 subjects). Their gestational diabetes screening results were compared to the results in 82 women not receiving beta-mimetic therapy.

RESULTS

Subjects receiving terbutaline had significantly higher mean glucose concentrations after the 1-hour 50-g glucose tolerance test (GTT) than did controls (P < .05, one-way analysis of variance with multiple comparisons). Among subjects receiving a continuous subcutaneous infusion of terbutaline, the incidence of abnormal 3-hour 100-g GTT results was higher than among controls (20 versus 4%; P = .023 by chi 2).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of GTT abnormalities is increased among women receiving terbutaline. We recommend surveillance of glucose tolerance among patients receiving terbutaline chronically, regardless of the route of administration.