Terbutaline increases maternal glucose levels; which statement best describes this effect?

• A. Decreases
• B. Increases
• C. No Effect
• D. Decreases Then Increases

Answer: (B)

Terbutaline, a beta-adrenergic agonist used tocolytically to stop preterm labor, stimulates beta-2 receptors that mobilize energy. This activates processes in the liver that increase glucose production (glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis) and can reduce insulin release from the pancreas, which lowers how much glucose tissues take up. The net effect is higher maternal blood glucose. So describing the effect as an increase best captures what happens. It wouldn’t be a decrease or no effect, and there isn’t a pattern of decreasing then increasing in this context. Clinically, this hyperglycemia can affect fetal glucose exposure, so glucose levels are often monitored when terbutaline is used.