Terbutaline is a drug that is primarily used as a bronchodilator (in oral/inhalant form), to prevent and treat asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. It has also been used in an injectable form to stop contractions during premature labor, but this is not an FDA-approved use.
On February 17, 2011, the FDA issued a safety alert warning against using injectable terbutaline to prevent or treat preterm labor because of a potential risk of serious maternal heart problems (such as cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, pulmonary edema) and death. The oral form of terbutaline has similar safety concerns, and has not been shown to be effective in preventing preterm labor.
The FDA now requires a Boxed Warning and Contraindication on terbutaline and has warned healthcare professionals of these risks. The FDA safety alert can be found here.