Bricanyl Tablets 5 mg
terbutaline sulphate
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 Tablets are and what they are used for
- 2. Before you take Bricanyl Tablets
- 3. How to take Bricanyl Tablets
- 4. Possible side effects
- 5. How to store Bricanyl Tablets
- 6. Further information
What Bricanyl Tablets are and what they are used for
Bricanyl Tablets contain a medicine called terbutaline sulphate. This belongs to a group of medicines called beta-agonists. These work by relaxing certain muscles. For example, they open up the airways in the lungs or relax the muscles of the womb (uterus) during pregnancy.
- Bricanyl Tablets are used for the regular treatment of breathing disorders such as asthma. They help to relieve tightening of the chest and difficulty breathing (bronchospasm).
- They are also used in pregnancy to prevent early delivery of the baby (premature labour).
Before you take Bricanyl Tablets
Do not take Bricanyl Tablets if:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to terbutaline sulphate or any of the other ingredients of Bricanyl Tablets (listed in Section 6: Further information).
Take special care with Bricanyl Tablets
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using Bricanyl Tablets if:
- You are pregnant and you have had problems with your pregnancy.
- You are diabetic. If so, you may need some additional blood sugar tests when you start taking Bricanyl Tablets.
- 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 taking Bricanyl Tablets.
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 Tablets can affect the way that some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Bricanyl Tablets.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Steroid medicines (such as prednisolone).
- Xanthine medicines (such as theophylline or aminophylline).
- Beta-blocker medicines (such as atenolol or propranolol), including eye drops (such as timolol).
- Water tablets, also known as diuretics (such as frusemide).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking Bricanyl Tablets if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Driving and using tools and machines
Bricanyl Tablets are not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Bricanyl Tablets
Bricanyl Tablets contain lactose which is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate or digest some sugars (have an intolerance to some sugars), talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
How to take Bricanyl Tablets
Always take Bricanyl Tablets exactly as your doctor has told you to. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. 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.
For asthma and breathing problems
Adults and young people over 16 years
- The usual starting dose is half a tablet three times in 24 hours. This dose is usually taken for the first 1 to 2 weeks.
- Your doctor may increase the dose to one tablet three times a day.
Children (7 to 15 years)
- The usual starting dose is half a tablet twice a day.
- The doctor may increase the dose to half a tablet three times a day.
Contact your doctor straight away 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 straight away.
For prevention of premature labour
The dose is one tablet three times in 24 hours. Your doctor will ask you to start taking Bricanyl Tablets after your contractions have been controlled with injections. The doctor will want you to continue taking Bricanyl Tablets for as long as is needed to prolong your pregnancy.
If you take more Bricanyl Tablets than you should
If you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
If you forget to take Bricanyl Tablets
If you forget to have a dose, have it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, wait until then and take the next dose as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Bricanyl Tablets 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 taking Bricanyl Tablets and see a doctor straight away.
- Sudden wheezing soon after taking Bricanyl Tablets. It is not known exactly how often this happens. If this happens to you, stop taking Bricanyl Tablets 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)
- Fast heart beats.
- Pounding heart beats (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 Tablets, 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.
How to store Bricanyl Tablets
- Keep in a safe place, out of the reach and sight of children.
- Do not store above 25°C.
- Do not take Bricanyl Tablets after the expiry date printed on the packaging. 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. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Further information
What Bricanyl Tablets contain
The active substance is terbutaline sulphate. Each Bricanyl Tablet contains 5 mg of terbutaline sulphate.
The other ingredients are lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate.
What Bricanyl Tablets look like and the contents of the pack
Bricanyl Tablets are off-white. They have ‘A/BT’ and a score on one side and the symbol ‘5’ on the other side.
Bricanyl Tablets are available in glass bottles or securitainers of 100 tablets.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
The Marketing Authorisation for Bricanyl Tablets is held by
Bricanyl Tablets are manufactured by
To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK only)
Please be ready to give the following information:
Product name
Bricanyl Tablets
Reference number 17901/0116
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Leaflet prepared: December 2008
Bricanyl is a trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
© AstraZeneca 2008
RSP 08 0083a
P024565
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