Spiriva

Generic Name: tiotropium inhalation (tye oh TROE pee um)
Brand Names: Spiriva

What is Spiriva?

Spiriva (tiotropium) is an anticholinergic agent. It works by enlarging the airways to allow easier breathing. It comes as a capsule containing dry powder, which is inhaled through the mouth using the HandiHaler device.

Spiriva is used to prevent bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways in the lungs) in people with bronchitis, emphysema, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Spiriva may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Spiriva

A Spiriva capsule is for use only in the HandiHaler device. Do not take the capsule by mouth. Use only one capsule at a time.

Before using Spiriva, tell your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or an enlarged prostate or bladder obstruction.

Slideshow: Grapefruit and Medicines: A Possible Deadly Mix?

Spiriva is used to prevent bronchospasm attacks. Do not use this medication to treat a bronchospasm attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication to treat an attack.

Use Spiriva exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Talk with your doctor if any of your medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing bronchospasm attacks.

Before using Spiriva

You should not use Spiriva if you are allergic to tiotropium or ipratropium (Atrovent, Combivent, DuoNeb).

To make sure you can safely take Spiriva, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• narrow-angle glaucoma;

• kidney disease;

• enlarged prostate or urination problems; or

• if you are allergic to milk.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Spiriva is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known if tiotropium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Spiriva without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Spiriva pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use Spiriva?

Use Spiriva exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Spiriva is used to prevent bronchospasm attacks. Do not use this medication to treat a bronchospasm attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication to treat an attack.

Spiriva comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

The Spiriva capsule is for use only in the HandiHaler device. Do not take the capsule by mouth. Use only one capsule at a time.

Use Spiriva regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Talk with your doctor if any of your medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing attacks.

To be sure Spiriva is helping your condition, your lung function will need to be tested on a regular basis. Visit your doctor regularly.

Keep each Spiriva capsule in its blister pack until you are ready to place the capsule into the HandiHaler and use the device. Throw away any capsule that is not used right after you have taken it out of the blister pack. Exposure to air can ruin the capsule.

Store Spiriva at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not use the Spiriva Handihaler more than 1 time in a 24-hour period.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, eye redness, constipation, stomach pain, and confusion or drowsiness.

What should I avoid while using Spiriva?

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water.

Spiriva side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Spiriva: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• wheezing, chest pain or tightness, trouble breathing;

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights;

• rapid heart rate;

• sores or white patches of your mouth, lips, or tongue; or

• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious Spiriva side effects may include:

• dry mouth;

• constipation, upset stomach, vomiting;

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;

• nosebleed; or

• muscle pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Spiriva side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Spiriva?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine);

• belladonna (Donnatal, and others)

• benztropine (Cogentin);

• dimenhydrinate (Dramamine);

• methscopolamine (Pamine);

• scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);

• theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron, Uniphyl), and others;

• tiotropium (Spiriva);

• bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);

• cough, cold, or allergy medicine;

• irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Hyomax), or propantheline (Pro Banthine);

• steroid medication such as prednisone (Deltasone, Sterapred), methylprednisolone (Medrol), fluticasone (Advair , Flonase, Flovent, Veramyst), beclomethasone (Qvar), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort, Symbicort), dexamethasone (Cortastat, Dexasone, Solurex, DexPak), mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex), triamcinolone (Nasacort), and others; or

• ulcer medications such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul) or mepenzolate (Cantil).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Spiriva. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Spiriva.