There are different colours for inhalers which can sometimes indicate whether it’s a reliever treatment or a preventer treatment. Historically, relievers were blue and preventers were brown, but these days this isn’t always the case. Terbutaline does, however, fit this mould: as it’s a blue-coloured reliever inhaler.
People will often have a blue inhaler to treat sudden symptoms, such as shortness of breath and chest tightness.
The preventer inhaler usually helps to avoid asthma attacks and control symptoms, but it shouldn’t be used as a rescue treatment. It contains a low amount of steroids to help reduce your airway’s sensitivity, and reduces the likelihood of future asthma attacks by helping your body to be more resistant to triggers. But you’ll need to use this inhaler regularly for the effects to develop, which can take up to two weeks.
You’ll usually be prescribed a preventer inhaler if you’re using your reliever inhaler more than three times a week to control your symptoms. Your clinician might also decide to prescribe one if your symptoms or attacks are affecting your sleep.
There are other colours as well, including red, beige, purple and green, which will be for prevention or relief – either as a combination or as a single treatment. Your clinician will be able to help you decide which type of inhaler can be the most suitable for your needs.
What dosage is Bricanyl Turbohaler?
The Bricanyl Turbohaler is a powder that is taken as a 0.5mg dose. You’ll need to take one or two inhalations as required for wheezing or shortness of breath, and wait around two or three minutes between each inhalation.
The Bricanyl Nebuliser has a 2.5ml dose as a solution, and requires a nebuliser machine to be used correctly, these are sometimes helpful for people who struggle to use a traditional inhaler device