patient information leaflet bricanyl syrup

Patient Information Leaflet

What you should know about Bricanyl® Syrup

terbutaline sulphate

This leaflet applies only to Bricanyl Syrup. If you have any questions, or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist (chemist). Remember, this medicine is only for you. Do not give it to anyone else, even if their symptoms are similar to yours.

What is in your medicine?

Bricanyl Syrup is a clear, colourless, raspberry flavoured aqueous syrup. Each 5 ml spoonful contains 1.5 mg of the active ingredient, terbutaline sulphate (equivalent to 0.3 mg per ml). Bricanyl syrup also contains citric acid, disodium edetate, ethanol, glycerol, sodium hydroxide, sorbitol, sodium benzoate, raspberry flavour, lemon limette flavour and water.

The syrup is available in bottles of 100 ml.

Terbutaline sulphate belongs to a group of medicines called beta2-agonists. These relax certain muscles, for example they open up the airways in the lungs or relax the muscles of the womb (uterus) during pregnancy.

What is your medicine for?

Bricanyl Syrup is used as regular treatment to help relieve bronchospasm (tightening of the chest and difficulty breathing) in breathing disorders such as asthma. It is also used in pregnancy to prevent premature labour.

Before taking Bricanyl Syrup

Make sure that you have told your doctor about any other medicines that you are taking, including those you have bought without a prescription.

Please read the following questions carefully. They are being asked to help check that the medicine is suitable for you to take. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you should talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.

Are you thinking of becoming pregnant? If so, you must talk to your doctor about this before doing so.
If you are pregnant, have you had any problems with your pregnancy?
Are you breast-feeding?
Are you diabetic? If so, you may need some additional blood sugar tests when you start taking Bricanyl.
Do you have a heart problem?
Do you have an overactive thyroid gland?
Are you taking any steroid medicines (e.g. prednisolone) or xanthines (e.g. theophylline)?
Are you taking a beta-blocker (e.g. propranolol), including eye drops (e.g. timolol)?
Are you taking diuretics or water pills (e.g. frusemide)?

Important: You should not take Bricanyl Syrup if you have had problems in the past when taking medicines containing terbutaline sulphate or any of the other ingredients in this medicine, listed earlier.

Taking your medicine

It is important to take your medicine as the doctor has told you to. The instructions on the label should remind you of what the doctor said. Do not stop taking your medicine without first discussing it with your doctor.

Dosage

Asthma and Breathing Problems

The usual starting dose for adults and the elderly is two 5 ml spoonfuls three times a day. The dose may then be increased to three 5 ml spoonfuls three times a day if necessary.

For children, the dose is 0.25 ml per kg body weight three times a day, as shown below:

Bodyweight: 14kg - 3.5 ml times 3
Bodyweight: 16kg - 4 ml times 3
Bodyweight: 18kg - 4.5 ml times 3
Bodyweight: 20kg - 5 ml times 3
Bodyweight: 24kg - 6 ml times 3
Bodyweight: 28kg - 7 ml times 3
Bodyweight: 32kg - 8 ml times 3
Bodyweight: 36kg - 9 ml times 3
Bodyweight: 40kg - 10 ml times 3

Contact your doctor immediately if:

Your breathing is getting worse.
You often wake up at night with asthma.
You start getting chest tightness.
You are not getting relief from your current dose.

These signs could mean your asthma is not being controlled and you may need different or additional treatment immediately.

For Prevention of Premature Labour

After the contractions have been controlled by injections, the dose is 5 ml three times a day. The doctor will want you to continue taking the medicine for as long as it is desirable to prolong pregnancy.

What to do if you take too much

If you have accidentally taken too much medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

What to do if you forget to take a dose

If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember. If, however, you are close to the time for the next dose, wait until then and take your next dose.

After taking your medicine

Like all medicines, as well as the effects that are needed, Bricanyl Syrup may sometimes cause side effects such as:

Trembling or shaking.
Headache.
Nausea (feeling sick).
Cramp or feeling tense.
Mouth and throat irritation.
Palpitations.

These side effects, if they occur, usually go away within the first week of starting treatment.

Rarely, you may experience the effects of low levels of potassium in your blood e.g. muscle weakness, thirst, pins and needles.

If you are being treated for premature labour, you may rarely get a cough or experience shortness of breath. The doctor may need to monitor your baby’s blood sugar.

Changes in sleeping patterns and changes in behaviour, such as agitation, hyperactivity and restlessness, have sometimes been seen.

Rarely, fast heart beats occur with drugs of this type.

Other heart problems such as unusual heart beats have occurred, usually only in susceptible patients.

Very rarely, allergic reactions such as swollen face, rash, breathing problems, low blood pressure and collapse have occurred with beta2-agonist treatment. If these occur, stop taking your medicine and seek medical advice immediately.

If you experience any of these effects, or if you notice anything else unusual, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Storing your medicine

Keep in a safe place, out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not store above 25°C.
Do not take Bricanyl Syrup after the expiry date printed on the packaging.

Medicine: bricanyl syrup