Bricanyl Elixir and Injection - Chemist Australia

BRICANYL(R)ELIXIR
AND INJECTION
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 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 injection is usually only
given in hospital in cases of severe
breathing difficulties.
Bricanyl elixir and injection 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 breastfeeding 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 breastfeeding,
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 if:
1. you have any allergies to
* other medicines used to treat
breathing problems
* ingredients listed at the end of
this leaflet
* any other substances
If you have an allergic reaction, you
may get a skin rash, hayfever, a
worsening of your asthma or feel
faint.
2. you have any of these medical
conditions
* heart disease
* diabetes
* thyroid problems
It may not be safe for you to take
Bricanyl if you have any of these
conditions.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking
any other medicines, including:
* medicines used to treat heart
problems or high blood pressure
* medicines for glaucoma,
including eye drops
* other medicines to treat asthma,
bronchitis or breathing problems
BRICANYL(R) ELIXIR AND INJECTION 1

* any other medicine that you buy
at the chemist, supermarket or
health food shop.
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
about any of these things, tell them
before you take any Bricanyl.
Using Bricanyl
How to take it
Bricanyl Elixir:
Adults
The dose can range from 10 to 15 mL
(3 to 4.5 mg), up to three times a day.
Children
Children are usually considered to be
aged 12 or less, but check with your
doctor if you are at all worried about
the dose that has been prescribed for
your child.
The dose is worked out by the weight
of the child. It is 0.25 mL (0.075
mg) 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 you 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 a personal Action Plan
be sure to follow it closely.
Bricanyl Injection:
Your doctor or a specially trained
nurse will give you or your child the
injection. It will be given just under
the skin, and repeated when needed,
up to every 6 hours.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take Bricanyl elixir,
do so as soon as you remember
unless it is less than 4 hours until
your next dose.
In that case skip the missed dose,
and take the next dose when it is
due. Don't double the dose.
If you have trouble remembering
when to take your medicine, ask your
pharmacist for some hints.
Bricanyl injection will be given to
you when required so you will not
'miss' a dose.
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 if you notice any
of the following and they worry
you:
* tremor (shaky hands)
* nervousness or agitation
* increased heart rate or
palpitations
* nausea (feeling sick) and
vomiting
* a bad taste in your mouth
* diarrhoea
* sweating, muscle twitching or
cramps
* drowsiness, dizziness or
headache
* disturbed sleep
* skin rash
These are all mild side effects of
Bricanyl.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist
immediately if you notice any of
the following:
* difficulty breathing or worsening
of your breathing problems
* fast or irregular heart beat
These may be serious side effects.
You may need urgent medical
attention. Serious side effects are
rare.
Tell your doctor if you notice
anything else that is making you
feel unwell.
Some people may get other side
effects while taking Bricanyl.
Storage
Bricanyl elixir:
Should be kept below 30 degrees C.
Keep your elixir in the bottle until
it is time to take it.
If you take Bricanyl out of the bottle
it will not keep well.
Keep it in a cool dark place.
Bricanyl injection:
Should be kept below 25 degrees C
and protected from light.
Do not store Bricanyl or any other
BRICANYL(R) ELIXIR AND INJECTION 2

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
Manufacturer
AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
ABN 54 009 682 311
Alma Road
NORTH RYDE NSW 2113
This leaflet was prepared June 2004.
Australian Registration Numbers
Elixir 12067
Injection 0.5mg/mL 12068
Bricanyl is a trade mark of the
AstraZeneca group of companies.
Ask your pharmacist what to do
with any Bricanyl you have left
over if your doctor tells you to stop
taking it, or you find that the
expiry date has passed.
Product description
Bricanyl elixir:
A colourless, clear liquid containing
0.3 mg/mL of terbutaline sulfate
plus,
* Sorbitol (E 420)
* Glycerol (E 422)
* Citric acid- anhydrous (E 330)
* Sodium hydroxide
* Sodium benzoate (E 211)
* Disodium edetate
* Ethanol (E1510)
* Raspberry flavour
* Lemon-lime flavour
* Purified water
in 300ml bottles.
Bricanyl injection:
Contains 0.5 mg/mL of terbutaline
sulfate plus;
* Sodium chloride
* Hydrochloric acid (for pH
adjustment)
* Water for Injections.
Available in 1 mL ampoules in boxes
of 5.
BRICANYL(R) ELIXIR AND INJECTION 3