Bricanyl

Bricanyl Turbohaler (also referred to as Bricanyl Turbuhaler) is a medicine that is prescribed to treat the symptoms of asthma or other breathing problems, such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Bricanyl is classed as a reliever inhaler. The active ingredient in Bricanyl is a medicine called terbutaline. Terbutaline is part of a group of medicines called ‘beta-agonists’ which work on certain muscles. It relaxes specific muscles, which causes the airways in the lungs to open up. Bricanyl usually works within a few minutes once you take your inhaler. A Bricanyl inhaler is known as a DPI inhaler (dry-powder inhaler); it dispenses one dose of powder per puff.Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional difficulties with breathing. It can affect people of all ages and often starts in childhood, though it can also start when you are an adult. There is no cure for asthma but there is a range of treatments that can ease or prevent the symptoms so you can lead a normal life.It is important that you speak to a doctor so your asthma is well managed. Well-managed asthma should not prevent you from taking part in normal activities, including a range of sports.Three people a year die from asthma in the UK and it is estimated that two-thirds of these can be prevented by proper medication, an estimated three-quarters of hospitalisation due to asthma could also be avoided by taking the proper medication.It’s not enough to simply have the correct prescription, you also need to ensure you know exactly how and when to take your medication. It is quite common to have more than one asthma medicine as different types perform different functions.Asthma can be triggered by a number of things, from sudden changes in temperature to exercise, to being unwell with a cold to air pollution. It can help to be aware of your own triggers when it comes to managing your symptoms.Inhalers have been commonly used for asthma since the 1970s and since their introduction, the number of deaths from asthma has fallen. There are two main types of inhaler on the market: preventer inhalers, which help prevent symptoms and reduce the risk of a life-threatening asthma attack, and reliever inhalers, which help to manage the symptoms when they occur. In most cases, you will be prescribed both types of inhaler. Studies show that it can be harmful to your health to only take a reliever inhaler over a long period of time. This is a sign that your asthma is not well-managed and therefore puts you at risk.Bricanyl is one of the reliever inhalers that you can take alongside a preventative inhaler. To find out more about how it could help you, see the information below.

Bricanyl Turbohaler is a medicine that is prescribed to treat the symptoms of asthma or other breathing problems, such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Bricanyl is classed as a reliever inhaler.

The active ingredient in a Bricanyl inhaler is a medicine called terbutaline. Terbutaline is part of a group of medicines called ‘beta-agonists’ which work on certain muscles. It relaxes these specific muscles, which causes the airways in the lungs to open up. Bricanyl usually works within a few minutes once you take your inhaler. A Bricanyl inhaler is known as a DPI inhaler (dry-powder inhaler); it dispenses one dose of powder per puff.

Bricanyl is usually prescribed alongside a preventer inhaler. You take the preventer inhaler regularly, while Bricanyl should only be used as and when you experience symptoms such as:

• Coughing wheezing shortness of breath;
• Tightness in your chest.

Using a reliever inhaler like Bricanyl can help to get your asthma back under control and prevent an asthma attack. Use it as soon as you notice the symptoms and it will get to work quickly.

The following are signs that your asthma is not being controlled:

• 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.

In this case, you may need a different or additional treatment straight away. Bricanyl can be prescribed for both adults and children.

Proper technique when taking your Bricanyl inhaler is really important as good inhaler skills ensure the correct amount of medicine gets to the lungs. It also lessens side effects, as less of the medicine will escape to the rest of the body.

It is best to take your inhaler standing or sitting up straight. Follow these steps each time you take your Bricanyl inhaler:

• Check the indicator window on your Bricanyl inhaler to ensure it isn’t empty;
• Hold the inhaler upright and twist the grip forwards and backwards as far as you can until you hear a click. This means the inhaler is ready to use;
• Remove the cap and check that the inside of the inhaler is clean (to avoid inhaling fluff, etc.);
• Breathe out gently away from the inhaler to empty your lungs;
• Place the mouthpiece between your lips to create a seal;
• Breathe in gently until you feel that your lungs are full;
• Remove the inhaler, close your mouth and hold your breath for up to ten seconds;
• If you need to take two puffs, repeat the process again.

Your Bricanyl inhaler should be carried with you at all times so that you can take as soon as you start to feel any asthma symptoms. This will stop them from worsening and should prevent an asthma attack from occurring. You should also keep an eye on how many doses of inhaler you have left so that you don’t get caught without medication when you need it.

Each puff of a Bricanyl inhaler contains 0.4 mg of the active ingredient terbutaline sulphate, which corresponds to a 0.5mg metered dose. As Bricanyl is a reliever inhaler, your prescription will usually state to take either one or two puffs as required. You can see how many doses your inhaler contains in the window on the inhaler itself. One puff is one dose.

‘Take as required’ means take as soon as you are experiencing asthma symptoms. You should react quickly and take your inhaler as soon as the symptoms start to prevent them from worsening. Remember Bricanyl should be carried with you at all times.

You should not need more than four doses of Bricanyl in 24 hours as each dose should provide up to six hours of relief. If you take more Bricanyl than you should, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. If you are taking your reliever inhaler more than three times a week you should make an appointment to see your doctor as this is a sign that your asthma is not well managed. The same goes for using more than one inhaler a month or more than 12 reliever inhalers over the course of a year.

If you are having an asthma attack you can use your reliever inhaler more than the recommended amount; in fact, you can take up to ten puffs in quick succession.

The checklist below is a good guide for how to use your inhaler if you are having an asthma attack:

• Sit up straight and try to stay calm;
• Take one puff of your reliever inhaler every 30–60 seconds, up to ten puffs. If you feel any worse or do not feel better after ten puffs call an ambulance;
• Repeat step two after 15 minutes whilst waiting for an ambulance.

As with all medications, taking Bricanyl Turbohaler can cause side effects in some people. Not everyone will experience side effects. Following the proper instructions for taking your inhaler will help to lessen the side effects.

• Trembling;
• Shaking headaches.

• Fast or pounding heartbeat;
• Cramp;
• Feeling tense;
• Low levels of potassium in your blood, meaning you may feel thirsty, weak or experience pins and needles.

There is also a chance you may experience some of the following (frequency cannot be estimated with the available data):

• Irregular heartbeats chest pain;
• Nausea;
• Irritation in the mouth and throat changes in sleeping pattern;
• Feeling restless, agitated or hyperactive.

Be on the lookout for the signs of an allergic reaction:

• Swollen face difficulty breathing skin rash;
• Low blood pressure feeling faint;
• Wheezing immediately after taking the inhaler.

If you experience a severe allergic reaction, contact the emergency services immediately.

You should not use Bricanyl Turbohaler if you are allergic to terbutaline or any of the other ingredients. Bricanyl contains lactose, which is a type of sugar. If your doctor has diagnosed you with an intolerance to some sugars you may need to discuss this before taking Bricanyl. The amount of lactose does not normally cause problems for people who are lactose intolerant. The lactose may contain small amounts of milk residues. If you are hypersensitive to milk proteins, this may cause an allergic reaction.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Bricanyl if you suffer from diabetes as you may require extra blood tests when you start using a Bricanyl inhaler.

You should also talk to your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any medication, including over-the-counter and herbal medicines.

It is particularly important to mention any of the following types of medicine:

• Steroids (including prednisolone);
• Medicines called ‘xanthines’ (such as theophylline);
• Medicines called beta-blockers, including eyedrops such as timolol water tablets (diuretics) such as furosemide.

If you are going to have surgery under general anaesthetic, the operating staff will need to be aware you are taking Bricanyl to avoid complications.

You can buy Bricanyl online from an internet pharmacy or from a local pharmacy, but you will need a prescription from a doctor in order to purchase it. This can be your regular GP or another doctor you have spoken to specifically about taking Bricanyl.

No, you cannot buy Bricanyl Turbohaler over the counter. You need a prescription from a doctor to buy Bricanyl.

Asthma.org.uk Asthma attacks (2019)
Retrieved from: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/asthma-attacks/

Asthma.org.uk Asthma inhalers, medicines and treatments (2019)
Retrieved from: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments/inhalers-and-spacers/reliever/#

Asthma.org.uk How to use your inhaler (2019)
Retrieved from: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhaler-videos/

AstraZeneca Bricanyl Turbohaler patient leaflet (November 2017)
Retrieved from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.869.pdf

NHS Overview Asthma (February 2018)
Retrieved from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/

Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham About your Turbohaler (April 2017)
Retrieved from: https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/Downloads/pdf/PiAboutYourTurbohaler.pdf