Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
Bricanyl Turbuhaler contains the active ingredient terbutaline sulfate. Bricanyl Turbuhaler is used to open up the airways in people with asthma, bronchitis and other breathing problems so that they can breathe more easily.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using Bricanyl Turbuhaler? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine containing terbutaline or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Bricanyl Turbuhaler? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Bricanyl Turbuhaler and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
4. How do I use Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
- Bricanyl Turbuhaler should be inhaled into your lungs through the mouth.
- Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use Bricanyl Turbuhaler? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know while using Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
Things you should do |
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Things you should not do |
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Looking after your medicine |
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using Bricanyl Turbuhaler? in the full CMI.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. These include headache, nervousness, tremor (shaky hands), increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, a bad taste in your mouth, sweating, muscle twitching or cramps, dizziness, agitation, restlessness, disturbed sleep or skin rash. However, some side effects may need medical attention. These include severe allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, rash, itching or hives on skin, chest pain, difficulty breathing or worsening of your breathing problem. Serious side effects are rare.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
BRICANYL® TURBUHALER®
Active ingredient: terbutaline sulfate
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Bricanyl Turbuhaler. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using Bricanyl Turbuhaler.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
2. What should I know before I use Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
5. What should I know while using Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I using Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
Bricanyl Turbuhaler contains the active ingredient terbutaline sulfate. Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and belongs to a group of medicines called beta-2-agonists.
Bricanyl Turbuhaler 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 Turbuhaler is a reliever medicine and you should only use it when you need it.
2. What should I know before I use Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
Warnings
Do not use Bricanyl Turbuhaler if:
- you are allergic to any medicine containing terbutaline, or lactose (inactive ingredient in the 120 inhalations Bricanyl Turbuhaler only), or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- have any allergies to any other medicines or foods.
- have, or have had, any of the following medical conditions, as it may not be safe for you to take Bricanyl Turbuhaler:
– thyroid problems
– diabetes
– heart problems
– hypertension (high blood pressure) - are taking short acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) reliever (eg. Bricanyl Turbuhaler) alone for asthma without regular maintenance treatment. This may be associated with an increased risk of severe asthma attack.
- have any other medical conditions.
- have any questions about how you should be using your Bricanyl Turbuhaler.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Your doctor or pharmacist will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Bricanyl Turbuhaler during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Bricanyl Turbuhaler and affect how it works. 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
- some type of anaesthetics
These medicines may be affected by Bricanyl Turbuhaler or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to use different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Bricanyl Turbuhaler.
Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using Bricanyl Turbuhaler.
4. How do I use Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
How to use your Bricanyl Turbuhaler
You should only use Bricanyl Turbuhaler when you need it to ease your breathing. Unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you to, you should not use Bricanyl Turbuhaler regularly.
Each pack of Bricanyl Turbuhaler contains an instruction for use leaflet that tells you the correct way to use it. Please read this carefully.
If you are not sure how to use the Turbuhaler, ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how.
How much to take
Adult
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.
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.
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.
If you use too much Bricanyl Turbuhaler
If you think that you have used too much Bricanyl Turbuhaler, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
- phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), or - contact your doctor, or
- go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you take too much Bricanyl Turbuhaler you may experience shaky hands (tremor), headache, feel sick (nausea), anxious, tense, restless, excited and be unable to sleep, muscle twitching or cramps, fast or irregular heartbeats, dizziness or drowsiness.
5. What should I know while using Bricanyl Turbuhaler?
Things you should 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 or nurse, follow it closely at all times.
If you are also prescribed regular maintenance medication for asthma, you should continue to using it even if you do not need to use your Bricanyl Turbuhaler.
If you find that the usual dose of Bricanyl Turbuhaler is not giving you as much relief as before, or you are needing to use it more often (three or more SABA reliever inhalers in a year), 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.
It is recommended that you rinse your mouth out with water after each use if possible. Do not swallow the water.
If you are about to be started on a new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are using Bricanyl Turbuhaler.
If you become pregnant while using Bricanyl Turbuhaler, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor straight away if:
- your asthma symptoms (breathlessness, wheezing or tight chest) are getting worse or if you are too breathless to speak, eat or sleep.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Bricanyl Turbuhaler.
Things you should not do
- Do not use Bricanyl Turbuhaler to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
- Do not give Bricanyl Turbuhaler to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Looking after your medicine
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Storage
Keep your Turbuhaler in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees Celsius, with the cover firmly in place.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:
- in the bathroom or near a sink, or
- in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Cleaning
The Turbuhaler mouthpiece must be wiped with a clean dry tissue and must never get wet.
Full instructions on the right way to use and clean Bricanyl Turbuhaler are inside each pack.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
Since some medicine may remain inside your Bricanyl Turbuhaler you should always return it to your pharmacist for disposal including:
- when you have taken all your doses and the red mark is at the bottom of the dose indicator window (see instructions in the pack), or
- it is damaged or past its expiry date, or
- your doctor/pharmacist have told you to stop using it.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Less serious side effects | What to do |
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
Serious side effects | What to do |
Allergic Reaction:
Others:
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare. |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is available over-the-counter without a doctor’s prescription.
What Bricanyl Turbuhaler contains
Active ingredient (main ingredient) |
terbutaline sulfate |
Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) |
Lactose monohydrate |
Potential allergens | Lactose monohydrate |
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Bricanyl Turbuhaler looks like
Bricanyl Turbuhaler is a plastic inhaler containing the medicine as a dry powder.
Each Bricanyl Turbuhaler contains 120 inhalations of the medicine. [AUST R 315075]
Who distributes Bricanyl Turbuhaler
AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
ABN 54 009 682 311
66 Talavera Road
MACQUARIE PARK NSW 2113
Telephone:- 1800 805 342
This leaflet was prepared on 24 April 2023
Bricanyl and Turbuhaler are registered trade marks of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
© AstraZeneca, 2023
Doc ID-001914903 v7
Published by MIMS June 2023