Terbutaline is which class of drug and what is a common contraindication?

• A. Beta-adrenergic agonist; contraindicated in cardiac disease
• B. Calcium channel blocker; contraindicated in hypertension
• C. Prostaglandin inhibitor; contraindicated in asthma
• D. Alpha-adrenergic agonist; contraindicated in renal disease

Answer: (A)

Terbutaline is a beta-adrenergic agonist, specifically acting on beta-2 receptors to relax uterine smooth muscle and suppress contractions. This makes it a used-tocolytic in preterm labor. Because it stimulates adrenergic receptors throughout the body, it can cause tachycardia and other cardiac effects. Therefore, a common contraindication is cardiac disease, since the drug can worsen heart rate, rhythm, and overall cardiac stress.

The other options don’t fit terbutaline’s action. It is not a calcium channel blocker (that class includes drugs like nifedipine used as another type of tocolytic). It is not a prostaglandin inhibitor (those drugs work by blocking prostaglandin synthesis). And it is not an alpha-adrenergic agonist (which would cause vasoconstriction, not uterine relaxation). So the best choice reflects its beta-adrenergic mechanism and its cardiac contraindication.