Tiotropium User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Don...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 26, 2015

For COPD, Maintenance "Recently, I went to the emergency room with a blood pressure of 212-231 over 100 and pulse 68. Nothing was wrong physiologically, the ER doctor suggested reviewing my many medications with my primary doctor and cardiologist. I tend to be proactive, and while doing this, I dialed back my meds to the bare minimum, which left blood pressure medication, aspirin, and an asthma inhaler, thus eliminating my Spiriva despite not having any side effects. Today, after a couple of days off of Spiriva, I had real difficulty breathing and shallow breathing, so much so that I cut my activities short to get home and rest. I reviewed the Spiriva side effects, and applicable to me would be increased heart rate, and in my case, a benefit. Can't live without Spiriva."

• Fal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 2, 2015

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been taking 18 mcg caps every morning for almost sixteen (16!) years. It, along with 4 inhalations of 160/4.5 Symbicort, 2 with the S. in the morning, and two in the evening, have helped manage my mid-level emphysema all that time. Emphysema can and does kill, of course; and it does not really improve much, if at all; quite the contrary. But my physicians and my personal discipline (rare, usually!) have helped me do rather nicely into my 86th year. (Cost depends on where I am in Medicare Part D. $45/mo until donut hole, then closer to $250/mo.)"

• WTa...
• February 17, 2020

For COPD, Maintenance "I was taking Spiriva for over a month. It gave me hoarseness, swollen gums, and sores in my mouth. The worst cough ever, that's why I'm hoarse. I cough like I have TB, and so much phlegm it feels like I'm drowning. I thought I had double pneumonia until I read up on Spiriva side effects. My mouth has sores, it hurts to eat and swallow. I'm taking my rescue inhaler constantly because I'm choking on thick phlegm. I stopped taking it 4 days ago, and I'm the same. I may go to the hospital in the morning. I'm miserable and so sick. Never again will I take that stuff. My head hurts too, and I get dizzy and feel like I'm always low on water."

• PG2...
• September 1, 2016

For COPD, Maintenance "I have taken Spiriva, more so in hot, humid weather than in cooler weather, for 2 years, and after 1 year did notice a substantial difference in halos around lights, especially driving at night, so much so that I stopped driving at night. Last eye exam in March of this year indicates I have cataracts. I looked at the full Spiriva pharmaceutical description, and in lab tests, this drug did cause cataracts in dogs. So, now I am up for cataract surgery. What does the FDA protect?"

• 42m...
• September 24, 2016

For COPD, Maintenance "A prev smoker, I started on Advair 500 twice daily in 2010 after almost dying from being unable to breathe at all. After no serious improvement and being unable to hardly walk, I went on Spiriva in April this year. Almost immediate results...a HOME RUN!!! I now can walk at a fairly good pace and for a reasonable distance. I also continue on with Advair 500 morning/night. Finally, I am living almost a normal life...and NO EFFECTS!!"

• gms...
• December 29, 2011

For COPD, Maintenance "Started using Spiriva in 2003 and noticed much improvement in breathing and endurance. As my emphysema has worsened and flare-ups occurred more frequently, my pulmonologist added Onbrez and it too is very helpful. The combination is effective for me, FEV1 went from 37% to 52%. My principal side effect is dry mouth, but a sip of water now and then beats shortness of breath or worse."

• Hoo...
• April 15, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "I have COPD, and in reality, Spiriva does nothing for me, and my Medicare insurance does not cover it. I do breathe better when I use Proair HFA. But in my experience, Spiriva is snake oil with a hefty price tag. I had been taking Spiriva for about 6 months with no beneficial effect whatever."

• Pea...
• August 13, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "Almost broke the Twisthaler just now. First time using it. What a waste of money. They could have put the medicine in a little easy-to-use puffer inhaler, but then they could not charge so much for it. They think people are stupid. What a gimmick. Hope this stuff works, but the damn mist made me cough and choke. I have no illusions that the medicine will not have a load of side effects like all the rest."

• ths...
• November 3, 2009

For COPD, Maintenance "I have Homogeneous/Diffuse Emphysema, my doctor put me on Spiriva back in 2002 before it came into the US. I got it from Europe. This drug has helped to contract the hyperexpansion of my lungs so they can function better, and by doing so, has taken my functional vital capacity from 30% to 50%. I only take Spiriva, nothing else, one capsule every morning. I do not know why more doctors are not prescribing it. For me, it has been the closest thing to lung volume reduction surgery without the surgery."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2021

For COPD, Maintenance "I was fine on this drug for a while. After six months, I began to notice dry, flaky skin and eye hemorrhages, with migraine-type headaches with flashing halos in colors. Then my blood pressure got dangerously high. I checked the side effects of this drug, high BP is rare, but it is one of them, as are eye problems and headaches. Very bad for people with heart conditions, 52% mortality. Having to get used to living without it. BP is normal again, and I don't have red eye all the time. As is, skin getting back to normal, it was like cardboard dry, no matter what I did. Plus, one big red hive on my cheek."

• Rit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "Well, I just started taking this drug last week because of the bad bronchitis I had and coughing a lot. Well, I looked up some side effects of this medication, and I decided I'm not going to use this as my inhaler. My doctor gave me a few samples to try, and I don't like how it makes me feel. I get really dizzy, and having thrush in my throat doesn't help at all either."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2011

For COPD, Maintenance "At first, lung function was markedly improved, then I started having rapid and irregular heart problems, along with high blood pressure. Because I was also taking Atrovent, my doctor told me that I shouldn't take both. He decreased the Spiriva, and my heart problems subsided. Unfortunately, I have lost some lung function, my activity level has decreased probably by 70%, and I am living on inhalers every 3 hours. I feel like an elephant has parked himself on my chest! Quality of life is minimal, so I'm ready to resume taking Spiriva."

• Mr ...
• January 8, 2016

For COPD, Maintenance "Was prescribed Spiriva dry powder capsules in May of 2015. This was during a bout of atypical pneumonia, which I had weeks before being prescribed Spiriva and lingered for weeks after. As a result of the illness, I suffered pulmonary exacerbation, which brought about COPD symptoms to the point that now, 8 months later, I have to use oxygen [2 LPM] 24/7. It has been taxing and shocking, but the Spiriva, along with Symbicort [80/4.5], does help. I measure my O2 blood saturation several times daily. I have experimented with halting one and both medications over small periods of time and have realized that I can do without the Symbicort with not much variation in the O2 saturation, but when the Spiriva is halted for 48 hours, the O2 saturation drops."

• Tin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 2, 2020

For COPD, Maintenance "Been using Spiriva for a little over 7 years. Never could tell any difference. I used to have the problem with empty capsules, but when I started making sure that the larger half of the capsule was inserted first (at the bottom) of the device, they started working right every time. No more empty capsules."

• non...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2018

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been using Spiriva Respimat 2.5 mcg along with Zenhale MDI 5/200 mcg for a year now, and in that short period, I've acquired so much bloating in my face and body and have gained almost 50 lbs using these two drugs. I now have severe breathing problems, cannot go upstairs and/or for a walk without panting/huffing/breathing heavier, where sometimes I cannot take a breath (than I ever did before taking these two puffers)... which is very scary. I was on two other asthma medications before, which never caused me any side effects. Am going to go back to them and hopefully will lose the extra pounds I've put on, and in the few days since I've stopped taking these two puffers, my breathing has improved quite a lot."

• Doo...
• August 22, 2018

For COPD, Maintenance "It seems every box I received I had at least on the average 3 out of 30 that are either empty, or when I try to use my HandiHaler, the capsule breaks all apart and the plastic does show up in the HandiHaler. Also, when they are empty, I can tell they are empty, when you put them in your HandiHaler and you try to draw the medicine out, it is hard to suck on it to get your medicine due to the breakage. I'm not sure what causes that, as expensive as it is, we should not have to deal with empty and breaking capsules."

• bos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2017

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been on Spiriva for a few years. It has helped my COPD. I have noticed that I have suffered acid reflux more recently this past year. I have also complained to my eye doctor that my eyeballs feel swollen and must blink constantly because of some fluid in my eyes causing blurred vision. The doctor said he doesn't know why I am suffering with these symptoms. Last January 2016, he did discover glaucoma in one eye. My next appointment is April 2017. I will see what he has to say regarding my taking Spiriva. I am waiting for my PCP to get back to me. I never realized you must keep your eyes closed when taking this medication. I pray it is not permanent damage to my eyes."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2016

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been on Spiriva Respimat for about a year now for my COPD, and it is still working very well! I do have to take my rescue inhaler more than I did when I first began the drug, but I am still receiving great benefit from this medication and am so grateful it continues to improve my quality of life."

• Cha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 2, 2020

For COPD, Maintenance "Yeah, I tried it for 3 months. It sucks, it gives me an automatic headache. The doctor recommended that I go back on the HandiHaler, and once I went back to it, I didn't have all the headaches and other stomach complaints that I had with the Respimat mist. Sorry you failed at it, give us savings cards towards the HandiHaler. It will save money."

• cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "My pulmonologist gave me two sample dispensers (28 puffs each). I had dramatic negative effects. I didn't realize the problems were Spiriva, however, until finishing the first sample and two days into the 2nd. I started having dramatic dry mouth, infected sinuses, and a very sore throat. My dry mouth was so severe I had to see my GP. His first question was, 'Have you used any new meds?'-and bingo. He told me to immediately stop using. I called my pulmonologist and reported what my GP told me. She agreed. It's been over a week since I stopped, but I still have terrible dry mouth and a sore throat. Bummer!"

• Spu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 6, 2017

For COPD, Maintenance "I've been on Spiriva for about 15 years or so. At first, it helped my breathing a lot. Now, not so much. I've constantly battled the capsule not working. After contacting the mfg years ago, they eventually reimbursed me for a box of the medication. They told me the amount of medication in the capsule would fit on a pinhead. One day this week, it took 3 capsules before finding one that worked. The plastic capsule sometimes seems to explode when you squeeze the lever to poke the hole in it. When it makes 'that sound' of loud popping, after I try to use it and it doesn't work - I can open the handihaler holding the capsule, take the capsule out and hit it on my palm, and tiny pieces of plastic fall out in my hand!"

• Wen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 1, 2024

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been using Spiriva Respimat for over a year. Helped with breathing a lot. However, in the last year, my eyes deteriorated a lot, blurry vision, and now halos around mainly street signs. And my sleep has gotten bad. I put this down to old age, never connected the two with a two-puff-a-day inhaler. I will not lose my ability to see. I will never use this medication again."

• Min...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 12, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been on Spiriva Respimat for over two years, and it works well. I have severe COPD, and it definitely helps. It's easy to inhale because the medicine is under pressure, so it flows out of the device easily, meaning I think I get more in my lungs. My insurance company is playing doctor again and won't cover it any longer. Now I have to switch. Oh well..."

• bli...
• October 2, 2010

For COPD, Maintenance "Living in the UK. My specialist prescribed this medicine 2 days ago, and I can't believe the difference it has made. I feel about 70% better already. I just can't believe the difference already, it's fantastic."

• Pee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2017

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been on Spiriva about 2 months now with considerable improvement in lung function from my COPD. My problem is the actual inhaler - it is definitely flawed. Many capsules are empty and I have seen specks of blue plastic on the device. Sure hope I have not inhaled any plastic particles. I am considering calling the FDA because I cannot reach anyone at the drug company that makes this drug. Quality control failed in the dispensing method of this product. Used 2 capsules today before it would work properly! Getting concerned that those blue specks are coming from the device. Has anyone else noticed this? Be aware, I have seen them twice. Feeling concerned!"