Terbutaline Sulfate
Consumer Medicine Information
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia. This page contains answers to some common questions about . It does not contain all the information that is known about . It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you. If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Bookmark or print this page, you may need to read it again.
What Bricanyl is used for
Bricanyl contains terbutaline sulfate. Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and belongs to a group of medicines called beta-2-agonists.
Bricanyl is used to open up the airways in people with asthma, bronchitis and other breathing problems so that they can breathe more easily. It can also be used before exercise to keep the airways open if you start to wheeze or have trouble breathing each time you exert yourself.
Bricanyl is a 'reliever' drug and you should only use it when you need it.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Bricanyl has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may prescribe it for another reason.
Bricanyl Turbuhaler® is available from a pharmacist without a doctor's prescription.
Bricanyl Respules® are available only with a doctor's prescription.
Bricanyl is not addictive.
Before you use Bricanyl
When you must not use it
Do not use Bricanyl if you have an allergy to:
any medicine containing terbutaline
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
rash, itching or hives on the skin
shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
Do not use Bricanyl after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start using this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Before you start to use it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have any of following medical conditions:
heart problems
hypertension (high blood pressure)
diabetes
thyroid problems
It may not be safe for you to take Bricanyl if you have any of these conditions.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Your doctor will advise you of the risks and benefits of using Bricanyl during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start using Bricanyl.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Bricanyl may interfere with each other. These include:
medicines used to treat heart problems or high blood pressure
medicines for glaucoma, including eye drops
medicines to treat asthma, bronchitis or breathing problems
These medicines may be affected by Bricanyl, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to use a different medicine. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.
Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using Bricanyl.
How to use Bricanyl
You should only use Bricanyl when you need it to ease your breathing. Unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you to, you should not use Bricanyl regularly.
Bricanyl comes in two different forms that can be inhaled (breathed in):
the Turbuhaler; or
Respules (liquid solution) for use in a nebuliser.
Each package of Bricanyl contains an instruction leaflet that tells you the correct way to use it. Please read it carefully.
If you are not sure how to use the Turbuhaler or Respules, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
ADULTS
Bricanyl Turbuhaler:
The dose is one inhalation when needed up to every 4 to 6 hours. If you have severe breathing problems this may be increased to 3 inhalations.
You should not use more than 12 inhalations in any 24 hour period.
Bricanyl Respules:
The dose can range from 1 to 2 mL (2.5 to 5 mg) as required, up to every 6 hours. In severe cases, up to 4 mL (10 mg) may be nebulised.
CHILDREN
Children are usually considered to be aged 12 years or less, but check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are at all worried about the dose that has been prescribed/recommended for your child.
Children should be 5 years or older before they use the Turbuhaler.
Bricanyl Turbuhaler:
The dose is one inhalation when needed every 4 to 6 hours. If your child has severe breathing problems this may be increased to 2 inhalations.
A child should not take more than 8 inhalations in any 24 hour period.
Bricanyl Respules:
The dose is worked out by using the weight of the child. It is 0.08 mL (0.2 mg) for every kilogram the child weighs for each dose. Doses are given (via a nebuliser) as required, up to every 4 hours.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (131 126), or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Bricanyl. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
If you take too much Bricanyl you may experience shaky hands (tremor), headache, feel sick (nausea), anxious, tense, restless, excited and be unable to sleep, muscle twitching or cramps, or fast or irregular heartbeats.
While you are using Bricanyl
Things you must do
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you have an Asthma Action Plan that you have agreed with your doctor, follow it closely at all times.
If you find that the usual dose of Bricanyl is not giving you as much relief as before, or you are needing to use it more often, please contact your doctor so that your condition can be checked.
This is important to ensure your breathing problem is controlled properly.
See your doctor regularly to ensure that your asthma is not getting worse.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are using Bricanyl.
If you are about to be started on a new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are using Bricanyl.
If you become pregnant while using Bricanyl, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Things you must not do
Do not use Bricanyl to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give Bricanyl to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Bricanyl.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
headache
tremor (shaky hands)
nervousness
increased heart rate or palpitations
nausea (feeling sick), vomiting or diarrhoea
a bad taste in your mouth
sweating, muscle twitching or cramps
drowsiness or dizziness
agitation, restlessness, hyperactivity, or disturbed sleep
skin rash
These side effects are usually mild.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice any of the following:
fast or irregular heart beat
chest pain
difficulty breathing or worsening of your breathing problem
These may be serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients.
After using Bricanyl
Cleaning
The Turbuhaler must be wiped with a clean dry tissue and must never get wet.
Full instructions on the right way to use and clean the Turbuhaler are inside each pack.
Follow the manufacturer's directions for cleaning nebulisers.
Storage
Keep your Bricanyl Turbuhaler in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees C, with the cover firmly in place.
Keep Bricanyl Respules protected from light by keeping them in the foil envelopes and in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees C.
Unused, unopened Respules should be discarded 3 months after opening the foil pack.
Do not store Bricanyl or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop using Bricanyl, or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any Bricanyl you have left over.
Product description
Bricanyl Turbuhaler contains 500 micrograms of terbutaline sulfate in each dose, as the active ingredient. The Turbuhaler is made up of plastic parts.
Each Turbuhaler contains 200 doses (inhalations).
Bricanyl Respules contain 5 mg of terbutaline sulfate in 2 mL, as the active ingredient, and the following inactive ingredients:
disodium edetate
sodium chloride
hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment)
water for Injections
Each box contains 30 Respules with 5 Respules in each silver foil pack.
Supplier
AstraZeneca Pty Limited
ABN 54 009 682 311
Alma Road
North Ryde NSW 2113
This leaflet was prepared in March 2009.
Australian Registration Numbers
Bricanyl Turbuhaler
AUST R 10278
Bricanyl Respules
AUST R 10201
Bricanyl, Respules and Turbuhaler are registered trade marks of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
