PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

Bricanyl ® 0.5 mg/dose

Turbohaler ®

terbutaline sulphate

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BRICANYL® TURBOHALER®

(Terbutaline Sulphate)

This leaflet applies only to Bricanyl Turbohaler. 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 Turbohaler is a multi-dose, dry powder inhaler, which works by inhaling through the mouthpiece. Each inhalation (actuation) contains 0.5 mg of the active ingredient, terbutaline sulphate. Each inhaler contains 100 inhalations. Bricanyl Turbohaler does not contain any other ingredients.

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.

WHAT IS YOUR MEDICINE FOR?

Bricanyl Turbohaler is used to help relieve bronchospasm (tightening of the chest and difficulty breathing) in breathing disorders such as asthma.

BEFORE TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

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 the questions is YES, discuss this with your doctor BEFORE taking this medicine.

• Are you pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant or breast-feeding? If you become pregnant whilst using Bricanyl Turbohaler you should talk to your doctor immediately.
• 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 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 any diuretics or water pills (e.g. frusemide)?

Important: You should not take Bricanyl Turbohaler if you have had problems in the past when taking medicines containing terbutaline sulphate.

TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

	How to use your Turbohaler
	Turbohaler is very easy to use. Simply follow the instructions given below.
	1. Unscrew and lift off the white cover.
	2. Load by holding your Turbohaler UPRIGHT with the blue grip at the bottom. Turn the blue grip fully in one direction as far as it will go. Then twist the blue grip back again as far as it will go. You should hear a 'click' sound. Your Bricanyl Turbohaler is now loaded. Only load the inhaler when you need to use it.
	3. Breathe out gently but DO NOT breathe out through the inhaler. Then place the mouthpiece between your lips and BREATHE IN through your mouth as deeply and as hard as you can.
	4. Remove the Turbohaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly.
	5. If you are to take a second inhalation, repeat steps 2, 3 and 4.
	6. Replace the cover after use.

As the amount of drug inhaled is very small, you may not be able to taste anything. However, you can still be confident that the dose has been inhaled if you have followed the instructions.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY INHALER IS EMPTY?

When a red mark first appears in the indicator window under the mouthpiece, there are approximately 20 doses left. You will need to see your doctor for another prescription. When the red mark reaches the bottom of the indicator window, your Turbohaler is empty. The grip will still twist and 'click' even when the inhaler is empty. Note: you may hear a sound when you shake your Turbohaler. This is not caused by the medicine, but by a drying agent.

AFTER TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

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

• Trembling or shaking
• Cramp or feeling tense
• Headache
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• 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.

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

 

In rare cases, inhaled drugs may cause severe difficulty in breathing with wheezing immediately after inhaling a dose. If this occurs, stop using your inhaler and contact your doctor straight away.

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 using your inhaler and seek medical advice immediately.

If you experience any of these side 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 30°C.
• Keep the cap screwed onto your Turbohaler when you are not using it.
• Do not use Bricanyl Turbohaler after the expiry date printed on the packaging.