BRICANYL(R) FOR INHALATION

Terbutaline Sulfate

Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some of the common questions people ask about Bricanyl. It does not contain all the information that is known about Bricanyl.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor or pharmacist will have weighed the risks of you taking Bricanyl against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine.

You may need to read it again.

What Bricanyl is for

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.

Bricanyl Turbuhaler(R) is available from a pharmacist without a doctor`s prescription.

Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about why this medicine has been recommended for you.

Bricanyl Respules(R) are available only with a doctor`s prescription.

Your doctor will have explained why you are being treated with Bricanyl and told you what dose to take.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully.

They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

However, your doctor may prescribe this medicine for another use. Ask your doctor if you want more information.

Bricanyl is not addictive

Before you use Bricanyl

When you must not use it

Do not use Bricanyl if you are pregnant or breast feeding unless your doctor says so. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits involved.

There is no evidence available at the moment to show that taking Bricanyl under your doctor`s instructions is harmful to unborn babies.

Your baby can take in Bricanyl from breast milk if you are breast feeding, although the amount is so small it is unlikely to affect the baby.

Do not use after the use by (expiry) date printed on the pack.

It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect if you take it after the expiry date.

Do not use Bricanyl if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else.

Before you start to use it

You must tell your doctor or pharmacist if:

If you have an allergic reaction, you may get a skin rash, hay fever, a worsening of your asthma or feel faint.

It may not be safe for you to take Bricanyl if you have any of these conditions.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including:

These medicines may affect the way Bricanyl works.

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.

If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of these things, tell them before you take any Bricanyl.

Using Bricanyl

How to take it

You should only take Bricanyl when you need it to ease your breathing. Unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you to, you should not use Bricanyl regularly unless your breathing means that you need it.

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.

Adults

Turbuhaler

The dose is 500 micrograms when needed up to every 4 to 6 hours. If you have severe breathing problems this may be increased up to 1500 micrograms.

You should not take more than 12 inhalations of 500 micrograms terbutaline (6mg) in any 24 hour period. When you take more than one inhalation at a time wait about 2 or 3 minutes between them.

Respules

The dose can range from 2.5 to 5 micrograms (1-2 mL) as required up to every 6 hours. In severe cases, up to 4 mL (10 micrograms) may be nebulised.

Children

Children are usually considered to be aged 12 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 or over before they use the Turbuhaler.

Turbuhaler

The dose is 500 micrograms when needed up to every 4 to 6 hours. If your child has severe breathing problems this may be increased up to 1000 micrograms.

A child should not take more than 8 inhalations of 500 micrograms terbutaline (4mg) in any 24 hour period. When your child takes more than one inhalation at a time get them to wait about 2 or 3 minutes between them.

Respules

The dose of Bricanyl nebulising solution is worked out by using the weight of the child. It is 0.2 micrograms (0.08 mL) for every kilogram the child weighs for each dose. Doses are given when needed up to every 6 hours.

If you find that the usual dose of Bricanyl is not giving 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 most important to make sure that your breathing problem does not get out of control.

If you have an Asthma Action Plan that you have agreed with your doctor, follow it closely at all times.

If you forget to take it

Since Bricanyl is only taken when it is needed you will not `miss` any doses.

Overdose

Telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), or go to casualty at your nearest hospital immediately if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Bricanyl even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

If you take too much Bricanyl you will probably have shaky hands (tremor), a headache, feel sick (nausea), anxious, tense, restless, excited and be unable to sleep, muscle twitching or cramps, or fast or irregular heartbeats.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Bricanyl.

Bricanyl helps most people with asthma, bronchitis and other breathing problems, but it may have unwanted side-effects in a few people. 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 or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

These are all mild side effects of Bricanyl.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice any of the following:

These may be 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 is making you feel unwell.

Some people may get other side effects while taking Bricanyl.

After using it

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 in a cool, dark place.

Bricanyl Turbuhaler:

Should be kept below 30 degrees C. Replace the cap firmly after use.

Bricanyl Respules:

Should be kept below 30 degrees C and protected from light by keeping them in the foil envelopes. Unused, unopened Respules should be discarded 3 months after opening the foil pack.

Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.

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.

Do not leave it in the car on hot days.

Disposal

Ask your pharmacist what to do with any Bricanyl you have left over if your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking it, or you find that the expiry date has passed.

Product description

Bricanyl Turbuhaler

Contains only terbutaline sulfate as the active ingredient – 500 micrograms in each dose. Each Turbuhaler contains 200 doses. The Turbuhaler is made up of plastic parts.

Bricanyl Respules

Contain terbutaline sulfate 5mg in 2mL as the active ingredient, plus

in 2mL single use containers.

Each box contains 30 Respules with 5 Respules in each silver foil pack.

Manufacturer

Australian Registration Numbers: