Bricanyl Turbohaler

Bricanyl Turbohalers

Bricanyl Turbohalers are a brand of rescue or reliever inhaler from the British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca.

Reliever inhalers are used to treat coughing, wheezing and tightness of chest.These symptoms can be brought on by conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The most prevalent of these conditions is called asthma, which affects approximately 4.3 million adults in the UK.

Asthma is a chronic condition which causes recurring episodes of bronchospasm – commonly known as an asthma attack.

An asthma attack is a sudden deterioration of asthma symptoms. They can be life-threatening and may require emergency medical attention.

There are several triggers that can cause an asthma attack to develop, including allergens such as dust, mould, animal dander and pollen, as well as infections like the common cold and influenza, cardio exercise, and strong displays of emotion such as laughing or crying.

Symptoms of an asthma attack include:

• Blueish colouration to the lips (Cyanosis)
• Chest tightness
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Lower than normal peak flow score
• Rapid breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing

The symptoms are caused by a constriction of muscles around the airways, restricting the amount of air flowing through the airways to your lungs. If left untreated, the condition can become fatal.

How does the Bricanyl Turbohaler work?

Terbutaline – the active ingredient in Bricanyl Turbohalers – is known as a short-acting beta-2 agonist.

It works to treat bronchospasm by stimulating the beta 2 receptors in the airway muscles, causing the airways to relax and improving airflow.

Bricanyl Turbohaler gets to work within 5 minutes of being inhaled, and can provide temporary relief for up to 7 hours.

How to use the Bricanyl Turbohaler?

Always follow the instructions given to you by the doctor. Do not exceed the recommended prescribed dose.

Before using your Bricanyl Turbohaler for the first time:

1. Unscrew the cover and lift it off. You may hear a rattling sound.
2. Holding your Bricanyl Turbohaler upright, so that the blue grip is at the bottom, turn the grip as far as it will go in both directions. You should hear a click. It does not matter which way you turn it first.
3. Do this again, turning the blue grip in both directions.
4. Your Bricanyl Turbohaler is ready to use.

To use your Bricanyl Turbohaler:

1. Unscrew the cover and lift it off. You may hear a rattling sound.
2. Holding your Turbohaler upright, so that the blue grip is at the bottom, turn the grip as far as it will go in both directions. You should hear a click.
3. Holding your Turbohaler away from your mouth, breathe out gently. Do not breathe out through your Turbohaler.
4. Place the mouthpiece between your teeth, closing your lips around it. Breathe in as hard as you can through your mouth. Do not bite or chew the mouthpiece.
5. Remove the Turbohaler from your mouth and breathe out gently. You may not be able to taste the medication after inhalation. If you followed the instructions correctly, you can be confident that you have inhaled the dose and the medicine is now in your lungs.
6. If you are to take a second inhalation, repeat steps 2 to 5.
7. Screw the cover back over the mouthpiece, ensuring it fits tightly.
8. Rinse your mouth out with water each time after taking your dose to remove any medicine that remains in your mouth.

You may need to check with your doctor or asthma nurse to ensure the correct inhalation technique.

What should I do if I use more Bricanyl than I should?

If you use more Bricanyl than you should, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist for advice.