1800 ASTHMA
Bricanyl & Symbicort SMART Asthma Emergency
Bricanyl First Aid
If you are using Bricanyl as your reliever, follow the first-aid steps below.
If showing signs of severe or life-threatening asthma attack (in table above), dial 000 for an ambulance and start asthma first aid for your type of Bricanyl below:
Bricanyl Turbuhaler (500mg) ages 6+ |
| 1. Sit upright and stay calm |
| 2. Take 2 inhalations of Bricanyl. Then wait 4 minutes. |
| 3. If there is no improvement, take another inhalation of Bricanyl. Wait 4 minutes |
| If there is still no improvement call emergency assistance. Dial 000 say ‘ambulance’ and that someone is having an asthma attack |
| Keep giving 1 separate dose every 4 minutes until emergency assistance arrives |
| Call emergency assistance immediately. Dial Triple Zero (000) – If the person is not breathing – If the person’s asthma suddenly becomes worse, or is not improving – If the person is having an asthma attack and a reliever is not available – If you are not sure if it’s asthma – If the person is known to have Anaphylaxis – follow their Anaphylaxis Action Plan, then give Asthma First Aid. |
Symbicort SMART First Aid
If you are using Symbicort SMART (Symbicort as both reliever and preventer), a special first aid plan exists that does not use a blue reliever.
If showing signs of severe or life-threatening asthma attack (in table above), dial 000 for an ambulance and start asthma first aid for your type of Symbicort below:
Rapihaler (50/3 mcg or 100/3 mcg) |
Turbuhaler (100/6 mcg or 200/6 mcg) |
| 1. Sit upright and stay calm | 1. Sit upright and stay calm |
| 2. Take 2 inhalations of Symbicort. Then wait 1-3 minutes | 2. Take 1 inhalation of Symbicort. Then wait 1-3 minutes. |
| 3. If there is no improvement, take another 2 inhalations of Symbicort (up to a maximum of 12 inhalations) | 3. If there is no improvement, take another inhalation of Symbicort (up to a maximum of 6 inhalations) |
| If Symbicort is unavailable, use a blue reliever and follow the standard Asthma First Aid steps | If Symbicort is unavailable, use a blue reliever and follow the standard Asthma First Aid steps |
| Start a course of prednisone tablets (if your doctor has advised you to do this) whilst waiting for an ambulance | Start a course of prednisone tablets (if your doctor has advised you to do this) whilst waiting for an ambulance |
After asthma first aid
If your symptoms improve you still need to make an appointment to see your doctor, preferably the same day.
If you’re not sure, or if you get worse again before you see your doctor, go straight to hospital or call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.