Bricanyl Turbohaler
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PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET 2434
08.10.14[4]
Bricanyl® Turbohaler®
Terbutaline Sulphate 500 microgram Turbohaler®
(terbutaline sulphate)
Your medicine is available using any one of the above names but will be referred to as Bricanyl Turbohaler throughout this leaflet.
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others.
It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What Bricanyl Turbohaler is and what it is used for
2. Before you use Bricanyl Turbohaler
3. How to use Bricanyl Turbohaler
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Bricanyl Turbohaler
6. Further information
1. What Bricanyl Turbohaler is and what it is used for
Bricanyl Turbohaler is an inhaler. It contains a medicine called terbutaline. This belongs to a group of medicines called ‘beta-agonists'. These work by relaxing certain muscles and opening up the airways in the lungs.
Bricanyl Turbohaler is used for asthma and other breathing problems where you have a tight chest and difficulty breathing.
2. Before you use Bricanyl Turbohaler Do not use Bricanyl Turbohaler if:
• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to terbutaline or any of the other ingredients of Bricanyl Turbohaler (listed in Section 6: Further information).
Take special care with Bricanyl Turbohaler
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using Bricanyl Turbohaler if:
• You have diabetes. If so, you may need some extra blood sugar tests when you start using Bricanyl Turbohaler.
• You have a history of heart disease, irregular heart rhythm or angina.
• You have an overactive thyroid gland.
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Bricanyl Turbohaler.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines. Bricanyl can affect the way that some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Bricanyl.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
• Steroid medicines (such as prednisolone).
• Medicines called ‘xanthines' (such as theophylline).
• Medicines called ‘beta-blockers' (such as atenolol or propranolol) including eye drops (such as timolol).
• Water tablets (diuretics) such as furosemide (also known as frusemide).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
• Talk to your doctor before using Bricanyl Turbohaler if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
• If you become pregnant while you are using Bricanyl Turbohaler, talk to your doctor straight away.
Driving and using tools and machines
Bricanyl is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.
3. How to use Bricanyl Turbohaler
Always use Bricanyl Turbohaler exactly as your doctor, nurse or pharmacist has told you. Ask one of them for advice if you are not sure. If Bricanyl Turbohaler is to be used by a child, make sure that they use it correctly.
How much to take
• The usual dose is one inhalation as required.
• Do not take more than four inhalations in any 24 hour period.
• One inhalation from your Bricanyl Turbohaler should last for up to six hours.
Talk to your doctor straight away if:
• Your breathing is getting worse.
• You often wake at night with asthma.
• You start getting a tight chest.
• You are not getting relief from your current dose.
These are signs that your asthma is not being controlled. You may need a different or additional treatment straight away.
Please read the complete instructions carefully before you start to take your medication
Turbohaler is a multidose inhaler from which very small amounts of
powder are Cover
administered (Figure f--■> Mouthoiece-
1). When you breathe / \ muuuipieoe
in through Turbohaler the powder is delivered to your lungs. It is therefore important that you inhale forcefully and deeply through the mouthpiece.
How to prepare a new Turbohaler for use
Before using Turbohaler for the first time you need to prepare the inhaler for use.
Unscrew and lift off the white cover.
Hold the Turbohaler upright with the blue grip downwards (Figure 2). Do not hold the mouthpiece when you turn the blue grip. Turn the blue grip as far as it will go in one direction, and then back again in the opposite direction as far as it will go. It does not matter which way you turn first. During this procedure you will hear a click.
The turbohaler is now prepared for use, and you should not repeat the above procedure again. To take a dose, please continue according to the instructions below.
How to take an inhalation
Every time you need to take an inhalation, follow the instructions below.
1. Unscrew the white cover and lift it off.
2. Hold the Turbohaler upright with the blue grip at the bottom.
3. Do not hold the mouthpiece when you load the Turbohaler. To load your Turbohaler with a dose, turn the blue grip as far as it will go in one direction. Then turn it as far as it will go in the other direction (it doesn't matter which way you turn it first). You should hear a click sound. Your Turbohaler is now loaded and ready to use. Only load your Turbohaler when you need to use it.
4. Hold your Turbohaler away from your mouth. Breathe out gently (as far as is comfortable). Do not breathe out through your Turbohaler.
5. Place the mouthpiece gently between your teeth. Close your lips. Breathe in as deeply and as hard as you
can through your mouth. Do not chew or bite on the mouthpiece.
POM PL No: 15361/2434
6. Remove your Turbohaler from your mouth. Then breathe out gently. The amount of medicine that is inhaled is very small. This means you may not be able to taste it after inhalation. If you have followed the instructions, you can still be confident that you have inhaled the dose and the medicine is now in your lungs.
7. If you are to take a second inhalation, repeat steps 2 to 6.
8. Replace the cover by screwing it back on tightly.
With each inhalation some medication may stick to the inside of your mouth and throat. To reduce the risk of side effects it is advised that you, when possible, rinse your mouth with water after using Bricanyl Turbohaler.
Do not try to remove or twist the mouthpiece. It is fixed to your Turbohaler and must not be taken off. Do not use your Turbohaler if it has been damaged or if the mouthpiece has come apart from your Turbohaler.
Cleaning your Turbohaler
Wipe the outside of the mouthpiece once a week with a dry tissue. Do not use water or liquids.
When to start using a new Turbohaler
• When a red mark first appears in the indicator window under the mouthpiece, there are about 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 and you must start using your new Turbohaler.
Note:
• The grip will still twist and ‘click' even when your Turbohaler is empty.
• The sound that you hear as you shake your Turbohaler is produced by a drying agent and not the medicine. Therefore the sound does not tell you how much medicine is left in your Turbohaler.
• If you load your Turbohaler more than once by mistake before taking your dose, you will still only receive one dose.
If you use more Bricanyl Turbohaler than you should
If you use more Bricanyl Turbohaler than you should, contact your doctor
or pharmacist for advice.
If you forget to use Bricanyl Turbohaler
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
• Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Bricanyl Turbohaler can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Important side effects to look out for:
• Allergic reactions. The signs may include a swollen face, skin rash, breathing problems, low blood pressure (feeling faint) and collapse. It is not known exactly how often this happens. If this happens to you, stop using Bricanyl Turbohaler and see a doctor straight away.
• Sudden wheezing soon after inhaling your dose of Bricanyl Turbohaler. It is not known exactly how often this happens. If this happens to you, stop using Bricanyl Turbohaler and see a doctor straight away.
Other possible side effects:
Very Common (affects more than 1 in 10 people)
• Trembling or shaking.
• Headache.
Common (affects less than 1 in 10 people)
• Pounding or rapid heart beat (palpitations).
• Cramp or feeling tense.
• Low levels of potassium in your blood which may cause muscle weakness, thirst, or ‘pins and needles'.
The following effects have sometimes been seen but it is not known exactly how often they happen:
• Unusual or irregular heart beats.
• Chest pain (due to heart problems such as angina). Tell your doctor if you develop this symptom whilst receiving treatment with Bricanyl Turbohaler, but do not stop using this medicine unless told to.
• Feeling sick (nausea).
• Mouth and throat irritation.
• Changes in sleeping patterns and changes in behaviour, such as feeling agitated, restless or hyperactive.
Do not be concerned by this list of side effects. You may not get any of them. If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5. How to store Bricanyl Turbohaler
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Keep container tightly closed. Protect from moisture.
• Do not use Bricanyl Turbohaler after the expiry date printed on the carton or on the label of your Turbohaler. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer required. This will help to protect the environment
6. Further information
What Bricanyl Turbohaler contains
The active substance is terbutaline sulphate.
Each dose contains 0.5 mg terbutaline sulphate.
What Bricanyl Turbohaler looks like and contents of the pack
Bricanyl Turbohaler is a multi-dose Turbohaler with a blue turning grip and a white plastic body and cover containing a white powder for oral inhalation. A Braille code for identification is embossed at the bottom of the turning grip.
Each Bricanyl Turbohaler contains 100 doses.
Manufacturer and Product Licence holder
Manufactured by AstraZeneca, Dunkirk, France.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by Product Licence holder: P.I.E. Pharma Ltd, 207 Kenton road, Harrow, Middlesex HA3 0HD.
Leaflet revision and issue date (Ref.) 08.10.14[4]
Bricanyl and Turbohaler are trademarks of the AstraZeneca AB.