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.
24 months
Hypersensitivity to the active substance.
Not applicable.
None
Inhalation powder.
Breath-actuated metered dose powder inhaler.
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.
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 |
| 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 | |
| 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
The major toxic effect of terbutaline, observed in toxicological studies in rats and dogs at exposures in excess of maximum human exposure, is focal myocardial necrosis. This type of cardiotoxicity is a well known pharmacological manifestation seen after the administration of high doses of beta2-agonists.
In rats, an increase in the incidence of benign uterine leiomyomas has been observed. This effect is looked upon as a class-effect observed in rodents after long term exposure to high doses of beta2-agonists.
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.
Pharmaco-therapeutic group: selective beta2-adrenoreceptor agonist, terbutaline, ATC code: R03A C03.
Terbutaline sulfate is a selective beta2-adrenoceptor agonist, thus producing relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle, inhibition of the release of endogenous spasmogens, inhibitions of oedema caused by endogenous mediators, increased mucociliary clearance and relaxation of the uterine muscle.
Pharmacokinetic data from terbutaline inhaled from a pressurised aerosol reveal that less than 10% of the dose is absorbed from the airways. The remaining 90% is swallowed but is largely prevented from entering the systemic circulation due to extensive first pass metabolism.
Data suggest that inhaled terbutaline acts topically in the airways.
4th November 2015
Bricanyl® Turbohaler®, 0.5mg/dose, inhalation powder
AstraZeneca UK Ltd.,
600 Capability Green,
Luton, LU1 3LU, UK.
Do not store above 30°C.
Bricanyl Turbohaler consists of a number of assembled plastic details, the main parts being the dosing mechanism, the drug substance store, the desiccant store and the mouthpiece. The inhaler is protected by an outer tubular cover screwed onto a bottom plate.
Each inhaler contains 100 doses.
PL 17901/0117
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.
Terbutaline Sulfate 0.5mg/dose.
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.
If a previously effective dosage regimen no longer gives the same symptomatic relief, the patient should urgently seek further medical advice. 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.
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. It is recommended that serum potassium levels are monitored in such situations.
Bricanyl Turbohaler has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Posology
Adults and Children: One inhalation (0.5mg) 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.
Older people: 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.
No special requirements for disposal.
Date of first authorisation: 2nd November 1987
Date of latest renewal: 12th May 2007
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. Hypokalaemia also predisposes to digoxin toxicity.
Paediatric population
Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.
