Are there specific harmful effects of tocolytic therapy?

Yes: Just recently, the fda removed its specific approval for the long-term use of terbutaline due to unacceptable side effects, which can include pulmonary fluid overload, cardiac problems, etc. Other medications are still used to treat pre-term labor, but in many cases, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Prematurity can lead to cerebral palsy, learning and motor developmental delays, etc.

Yes: Tocolytics are drugs that are used to stop preterm labor. Terbutaline when used long-term can cause increased risk of heart attack and stroke in the mother. Magnesium can cause some muscle weakening in both mother and baby but may have a protective effect on the baby's brain. Indocin (indomethacin) can cause decreased amniotic fluid and premature changes in the blood flow through the baby's lungs.