Tiotropium and Cough: What Users Say

• cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2013

For COPD, Maintenance "I was prescribed Spiriva about a year ago. At first, it was easier breathing with it. I developed over time issues. Ocular migraines, severe dry mouth, muscle pain, coughing that I didn't put together with the Spiriva. A few weeks ago, I began having badly blurred vision and did notice that it was happening about an hour after using Spiriva. I looked up the side effects online and found that this was a bad side effect of the drug. I stopped taking it and called my doctor. He simply told me to stop using it, but he did not tell me that some people get severe withdrawal symptoms. After three days, I had severe panic/anxiety attacks, lightheadedness, and felt like I was losing my mind. I was taking Xanax twice a day. All is gone now."

• 64...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2015

For COPD, Maintenance "Was prescribed Spiriva when ill with bronchitis (never prescribed a maintenance inhaler although I have emphysema for 2 years - only used rescue inhaler). After 45 days of use, experienced moderate to extreme coughing that did not produce mucus, dry mouth, cloudy urine, wheezing as though lungs were filled with cotton, heartburn, flushing, chills, shortness of breath. Still had to use rescue inhaler 3-4 times per day. Stopped use, all symptoms ceased. Will ask pulmonologist for another brand. Everyone's tolerance is different."

• MAa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been using Spiriva for a short time, and I now have a constant cough, headaches, and a burning throat. I have now read the list of side effects, and it seems, for me, that it is going to cause more problems, short and possibly long term. I find it concerning. I will discuss with my doctor to come off it. I don’t feel confident on it. Buteyko breathing technique and exercises saved my life 28 years ago, and I was off all my drugs, including the nebulizer, which I used many times a day. I will go back to that, I think. Very concerned about the side effects I have experienced so far."

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2016

For COPD, Maintenance "I was prescribed Spiriva Respimat just three weeks ago, and the results have been amazingly effective. I was a smoker from the age of 12 until the age of 71, and I was finally able to quit 11 years ago. I have been suffering the effects of COPD for at least the last 3 or 4 years (maybe longer), but the condition has gone undiagnosed until very recently. I was unable to walk to my mailbox or take a shower without becoming extremely exhausted. I was constantly coughing up large amounts of phlegm, both day and night, making getting a good night's sleep difficult, if not impossible. I have not woken up once in the past two weeks to cough up phlegm, although I still cough up small amounts of phlegm during the day. I have not suffered any allergies."

• 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."

• 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."

• KMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

For COPD, Maintenance "I started taking Spiriva a month ago for chronic asthma. My doctor said I wouldn't notice much of a difference until about the third week. I actually felt like I was feeling better right away, a little bit better more and more every day. However, this week, my fourth week, I'm feeling worse. I don't have seasonal allergies, I don't have a cold, I'm just short of breath and coughing a lot. I'm not sure if it's the Spiriva or not, and I'm wondering if anyone else had a similar experience. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow to get an appointment."

• Tor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2021

For Asthma, Maintenance "New drug for my asthma, first day fine. Second day, the first dose caused a massive choking spasm episode, which almost made me throw up while I choked and coughed for my life. It felt like that and was a horrible experience. No other asthma medication has ever done this, and I am now scared to keep using it. I could not get my breath back properly for at least 5 minutes. Why, oh why, do they have to use such a non-user-friendly delivery system? It's awkward and hard to hold."

• chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2023

For COPD, Maintenance "I was prescribed Spiriva by my doctor 8 years ago because he thought my smoking for 10 years caused COPD; however, I discontinued use after a week because I believed I did not have COPD, but now I have severe dry lips, mouth, choke while eating, and cough 24 hours a day. I must use chapstick every day and suck on lemon drops & ice, and drink water every day. However, nothing has helped my severe dry mouth, and it appears I must now live with severe dry mouth for the rest of my life. I do not recommend this product and am desperate for help/relief on this matter!"

• Buf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2024

For COPD, Maintenance "Asthma or COPD. Smoked cigarettes for 30 years. 50 now. Spiriva helps very much with my complaint which was a suffocating feeling and constant wheezing. Side effects are occasional cough and hoarseness. Been taking for 6 months. I previously took Trelegy but the severe cough side effect made me stop. I occasionally use albuterol nebulizer in emergencies."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2021

For COPD, Maintenance "All I do is cough. I've always had low blood pressure, now I have high blood pressure since I have used this product."

• Gai...
• May 31, 2023

For COPD, Maintenance "Incessant dry cough, sore irritated throat, blood in throat excretions, quite a shame as I feel breathing was a little easier. I lasted 4 weeks, no more as side effects outweighed benefits."