Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Bricanyl Turbohaler, 0.5mg/dose, inhalation powder
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Terbutaline sulfate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
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.
What you need to know before you take it
e Bricanyl Turbohaler
Do not use Bricanyl Turbohaler: •
If you are allergic to terbutaline.
Warnings and precautions Talk to 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.
Other medicines and Bricanyl Turbohaler Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take 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). If you are to undergo surgery with general anaesthetics it is important that you inform your doctor about all medicines you use, including Bricanyl to protect you from adverse effects (e.g. irregular heart beat). Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility • •
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine. If you become pregnant while you are using Bricanyl Turbohaler, talk to your doctor straight away.
Driving and using machines Bricanyl is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any machines. Bricanyl Turbohaler contains lactose Bricanyl Turbohaler contains lactose, which is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine. The amount of lactose in this medicine does not normally cause problems in people who are lactose intolerant. The lactose may contain small amounts of milk protein residues. In patients with hypersensitivity to milk proteins, these small amounts may cause allergic reactions.
3.
How to use Bricanyl Turbohaler
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. If Bricanyl Turbohaler is to be used by a child, make sure that they use it correctly. Bricanyl Turbohaler should be used as required rather than regularly. Seek medical attention right away if your asthma symptoms (cough, breathlessness, wheezing or tight chest) are getting worse or if you are too breathless to speak, eat or sleep.
You must contact your doctor as soon as possible if you need higher doses of Bricanyl Turbohaler than usual to relieve your breathing problems. You may then need extra medication to control your asthma. If you use Bricanyl Turbohaler more than twice a week to treat your asthma symptoms, this indicates poorly controlled asthma and may increase the risk of severe asthma attacks (worsening of asthma) that can have serious complications and may be life-threatening or even fatal. You should contact your doctor as soon as possible to review your asthma treatment. If you use a medicine against inflammation of your lungs daily, e.g., "inhaled corticosteroid", it is important to continue using it regularly, even if you feel better. How much to take
- The recommended 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. Preparing your new Bricanyl Turbohaler Inhaler Before using your new Bricanyl Turbohaler for the first time, you need to prepare it for use as follows:
- Unscrew the cover and lift it off. You may hear a rattling sound.
- Hold your Bricanyl Turbohaler Inhaler upright with the blue grip at the bottom.
- 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 does not matter which way you turn it first).
- You should hear a click sound.
- Do this again, turning the blue grip in both directions.
- Your Bricanyl Turbohaler Inhaler is now ready for use.
How to take it
an inhalation Every time you need to take an inhalation, follow the instructions below. Mouthpiece→ Dose indicator → Grip
→
1. Unscrew the cover and lift it off. You may hear a rattling sound. 2. Hold your Turbohaler upright with the blue grip at the bottom. 3. Do not hold the mouthpiece when you load your 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 does not 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.
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 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 tightly after use. 9. Rinse your mouth out with water each time after taking your dose, if possible, to remove any medicine that remains in your mouth. As with all inhalers, caregivers should ensure that children prescribed Bricanyl Turbuhaler use correct inhalation technique, as described above.
Do not try to remove the mouthpiece since it is fixed to your Turbohaler and must not be taken off. The mouthpiece can be rotated but do not twist it unnecessarily. 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 The dose indicator tells you how many doses are left in the Turbohaler, starting with 120 doses when it is full.
•
The dose indicator is marked in intervals of 10 doses. Therefore, it does not show every dose. When you first see a red mark at the edge of the indicator window, there are approximately 20 doses left. For the last 10 doses, the background of the dose indicator is red. When the '0' on the red background has reached the middle of the window, 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 Bricanyl Turbohaler more than once by mistake before taking your dose, you will still only receive one dose. However, the dose indicator will register all the loaded doses. 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.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine 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 (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- Trembling or shaking.
- Headache. Common (may affect up to 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'. Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
- 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. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google
Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. • • • • •
6.
How to store it
Bricanyl Turbohaler Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not store above 30°C. When not in use, Bricanyl Turbohaler should be stored with the cover tightened. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and on the inhaler after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Bricanyl Turbohaler contains The active substance is terbutaline sulfate. One dose (inhalation) contains:
- The active substance is terbutaline sulfate 0.5 mg.
- The excipient is lactose.
What Bricanyl Turbohaler looks like and the contents of the pack Bricanyl Turbohaler is a multi-dose, dry powder inhaler. Each inhaler contains 120 doses. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer The Marketing Authorisation for Bricanyl Turbohaler is held by AstraZeneca UK Limited, 1 Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0AA, UK. Bricanyl Turbohaler is manufactured by AstraZeneca AB, SE-151 36 Södertälje, Sweden.
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 Turbohaler Reference number 17901/0117
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People. This leaflet was last revised in February 2026. Bricanyl and Turbohaler are trade marks of the AstraZeneca group of companies. © AstraZeneca 2026 RSP 26 0002
Frequently asked questions about Bricanyl Turbohaler, 0.5mg/dose, inhalation powder
How do I take Bricanyl Turbohaler, 0.5mg/dose, inhalation powder?
Bricanyl Turbohaler, 0.5mg/dose, inhalation powder comes as inhaler containing 0.5mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Bricanyl Turbohaler, 0.5mg/dose, inhalation powder?
The active substance in Bricanyl Turbohaler, 0.5mg/dose, inhalation powder is terbutaline sulfate.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Bricanyl Turbohaler, 0.5mg/dose, inhalation powder, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Bricanyl Turbohaler, 0.5mg/dose, inhalation powder without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: terbutaline sulfate
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Terbutaline is a selective beta2-adrenergic agonist recommended for the relief and prevention of bronchospasm in bronchial asthma and other bronchopulmonary disorders in which bronchospasm or reversible airways obstruction is a complicating factor.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults and Children: One inhalation (0.5 mg) as required. Not more than 4 inhalations should be required in any 24-hour period.
The duration of action of a single dose is up to 6 hours.
Elderly: Dosage as for adults.
Method of administration
Instructions for use and cleaning are provided in the Patient Information Leaflet, which can be found in each pack.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance (terbutaline) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Patients should be instructed in proper use and their inhalation technique checked regularly.
With each inhalation a fraction of the delivered dose will be deposited in the oral cavity. To minimize unnecessary systemic exposure to terbutaline, the patients should be advised to, when possible, rinse their mouth after each use.
Patients who are prescribed regular anti-inflammatory therapy should be advised to continue taking their anti-inflammatory medication even when symptoms decrease and they do not require Bricanyl Turbohaler.
If a previously effective dosage regimen no longer gives the same symptomatic relief, the patient should seek medical advice as soon as possible as this could be a sign of worsening asthma and warrants a reassessment of the asthma therapy. Consideration should be given to the requirements for additional therapy (including increased dosages of anti-inflammatory medication). Severe exacerbations of asthma should be treated as an emergency in the usual manner.
Overuse of short-acting beta-agonists may mask the progression of the underlying disease and contribute to deteriorating asthma control, leading to an increased risk of severe asthma exacerbations and mortality.
Patients who take more than twice a week additional “as needed” terbutaline should be re-evaluated for proper treatment adjustment as these patients are at risk for overuse of terbutaline.
As for all beta2-agonists caution should be observed in patients with thyrotoxicosis.
Due to the positive inotropic effect of beta2-agonists, these drugs should not be used in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Cardiovascular effects may be seen with sympathomimetic drugs, including Bricanyl. There is some evidence from post-marketing data and published literature of rare occurrences of myocardial ischaemia associated with beta agonists. Patients with underlying severe heart disease (e.g. ischaemic heart disease, arrhythmia or severe heart failure) who are receiving Bricanyl should be warned to seek medical advice if they experience chest pain or other symptoms of worsening heart disease. Attention should be paid to assessment of symptoms such as dyspnoea and chest pain, as they may be of either respiratory or cardiac origin.
Due to the hyperglycaemic effects of beta2-agonists, additional blood glucose controls are recommended initially in diabetic patients.
Potentially serious hypokalaemia may result from beta2-agonist therapy. Particular caution is recommended in acute severe asthma as the associated risk may be augmented by hypoxia. The hypokalaemic effect may be potentiated by concomitant treatments (see section 4.5). It is recommended that serum potassium levels are monitored in such situations.
Bricanyl Turbohaler contains lactose monohydrate (<1 mg/inhalation). This amount does not normally cause problems in lactose intolerant people. The lactose may contain small amounts of milk protein residues. In patients with hypersensitivity to milk proteins, these small amounts may cause allergic reactions.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Beta-blocking agents (including eye drops), especially the non-selective ones such as propranolol, may partially or totally inhibit the effect of beta-stimulants. Therefore, Bricanyl preparations and non-selective beta-blockers should not normally be administered concurrently. Bricanyl should be used with caution in patients receiving other sympathomimetics.
Halogenated anaesthetics
Halothane anaesthesia should be avoided during beta2-agonists treatment, since it increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Other halogenated anaesthetics should be used cautiously together with beta2-agonists.
Potassium depleting agents and hypokalaemia
Owing to the hypokalaemic effect of beta-agonists, concurrent administration with Bricanyl of serum potassium depleting agents known to exacerbate the risk of hypokalaemia, such as diuretics, methyl xanthines and corticosteroids, should be administered cautiously after careful evaluation of the benefits and risks with special regard to the increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias arising as a result of hypokalaemia (see section 4.4). Hypokalaemia also predisposes to digoxin toxicity.
Paediatric population
Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Although no teratogenic effects have been observed in animals or in patients, Bricanyl should only be administered with caution during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Terbutaline is secreted via breast milk but any effect on the infant is unlikely at therapeutic doses.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Bricanyl Turbohaler has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Summary of the safety profile
The frequency of adverse reactions is low at the recommended dose. Terbutaline given by inhalation is unlikely to produce significant systemic effects when given in recommended doses. Most of the adverse reactions are characteristic of sympathomimetic amines. The majority of these effects have reversed spontaneously within the first 1-2 weeks of treatment.
The frequency of side effects is low at the recommended doses.
Bricanyl Turbohaler inhalation powder contains lactose. The excipient lactose may contain small amounts of milk protein residues. In patients with hypersensitivity to milk proteins, these small amounts may cause allergic reactions.
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Adverse events are listed below by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 and <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 and <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 and <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000) and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).
System Organ Class (SOC)
Frequency Classification
Adverse Drug Reaction
Preferred term (PT)
Immune System Disorders
Not Known ^
Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension and collapse
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders
Common (≥1/100 to <1/10)
Hypokalaemia (See section 4.4)
Psychiatric Disorders
Not Known ^
Sleep disorder and Behavioural disturbances, such as agitation and restlessness
Nervous System Disorders
Very Common (≥1/10)
Tremor
Headache
Cardiac Disorders
Common (≥1/100 to <1/10)
Tachycardia
Palpitations
Not Known ^
Arrhythmias, e.g. atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia and extrasystoles
Myocardial ischaemia (See section 4.4)
Vascular Disorders
Not Known ^
Peripheral vasodilation
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders
Not Known ^
Paradoxical bronchospasm *
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Not Known ^
Nausea
Mouth and throat irritation
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
Not Known ^
Urticaria
Rash
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders #
Common (≥1/100 to <1/10)
Muscle spasms
# A few patients feel tense; this is also due to the effects on skeletal muscle and not to direct CNS stimulation.
^ Reported spontaneously in post-marketing data and therefore frequency regarded as not known
* In rare cases, through unspecified mechanisms, paradoxical bronchospasm may occur, with wheezing immediately after inhalation. This should be immediately treated with a rapid-onset bronchodilator. Bricanyl therapy should be discontinued and after assessment, an alternative therapy initiated.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme. Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
There is a potential for progressive accumulation of dry powder in the mouthpiece of the Bricanyl Turbuhaler that could be released if dropped (for example, from a table) towards the end of inhaler life. To minimize unnecessary systemic exposure to terbutaline, the patients should be advised to, when possible, rinse their mouth after each use.
i) Possible symptoms and signs:
Headache, anxiety, tremor, nausea, tonic cramp, palpitations, tachycardia and arrhythmia. A fall in blood pressure sometimes occurs. Laboratory findings: Hypokalaemia, hyperglycaemia and metabolic acidosis sometimes occur.
ii) Treatment:
Mild and moderate cases: Reduce the dose.
Severe cases: Gastric lavage, administration of activated charcoal (where suspected that significant amounts have been swallowed). Determination of acid-base balance, blood sugar and electrolytes, particularly serum potassium levels. Monitoring of heart rate and rhythm and blood pressure. Metabolic changes should be corrected. A cardioselective beta-blocker (e.g. metoprolol) is recommended for the treatment of arrhythmias causing haemodynamic deterioration. The beta-blocker should be used with care because of the possibility of inducing bronchoconstriction: use with caution in patients with a history of bronchospasm. If the beta2-mediated reduction in peripheral vascular resistance significantly contributes to the fall in blood pressure, a volume expander should be given.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Bricanyl Turbohaler, 0.5mg/dose, inhalation powder. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.