Terbutaline Preterm Labor Drug & Autism Claims

Terbutaline—sold under the brand name Brethine—was approved by the FDA as a bronchodilator for asthma. It was never approved for use in preventing preterm labor. Despite this, for years obstetricians across the country prescribed terbutaline off-label to pregnant women experiencing premature contractions, often administering it continuously for weeks at a time. Research has since linked this off-label use to autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions in the children who were exposed in utero.

How Terbutaline Was Used Off-Label

Terbutaline belongs to a class of drugs called beta-2 adrenergic agonists. In pregnant women, the drug relaxes uterine muscles, which made it an attractive option for managing preterm labor. Doctors prescribed it via injection or continuous subcutaneous pump, sometimes for weeks or even months during pregnancy. This prolonged off-label use exposed developing fetuses to a powerful medication that was never tested or approved for use in pregnancy at those doses and durations.

In 2011, the FDA issued a safety communication explicitly warning against the use of terbutaline for preterm labor, noting risks of serious side effects to both mothers and babies. The drug was reclassified from pregnancy category B to category C, indicating that risk to the fetus could not be ruled out. But by that point, countless women had already been treated with the drug during their pregnancies.

The Link to Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Research has identified a concerning connection between prenatal terbutaline exposure and autism spectrum disorder. One study found that mothers who took terbutaline continuously for two or more weeks during pregnancy were twice as likely to have twins who were both diagnosed with autism—a finding that points to the drug rather than genetics as the driving factor. The mechanism appears to involve the drug’s effect on the developing brain’s noradrenergic system, which plays a critical role in neurological development.

Children exposed to terbutaline in utero may face lifelong challenges including autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, cognitive and learning disabilities, and behavioral issues. The consequences extend to their families, who bear the financial and emotional burden of raising a child with complex needs.

Who May Be Eligible

Families may be eligible if the mother received terbutaline during pregnancy for preterm labor management and the child was subsequently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or another neurodevelopmental condition. Both brand-name and generic versions of the drug are included in the litigation. A California Supreme Court ruling has confirmed that victims may pursue claims against the brand-name manufacturer even if the generic version was prescribed.

Compensation Available

Families affected by terbutaline-related neurodevelopmental disorders may be entitled to compensation for the child’s lifetime care and support needs, specialized therapy and educational costs, medical treatment and monitoring, pain and suffering experienced by the child, the family’s emotional distress, and lost earning capacity of the affected individual. Given the lifelong nature of autism spectrum disorder, the total value of these claims can be substantial.

If your child was exposed to terbutaline during pregnancy and has been diagnosed with autism or another neurodevelopmental disorder, you may have legal options. Beverly Wilshire Law APC can review your case and help your family understand the path forward. Call (310) 424-5566 or email info@bevwilshire.com for a consultation—we’re here to guide you in the right direction.