Spiriva User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Spiriva has an average rating of 5.8 out of 10 from a total of 116 reviews on Drugs.com. 42% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 31% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Spiriva

gmsjpt
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."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

79 Report

42men...
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 & being unable to hardly walk, I went on spiriva in April this year..Almost immed results..a HOME RUN!!! I now can walk at fairly good pace & for reasonable distance.I also continue on with Advair 500 morning/night.. Finally, I am living almost normal life...and NO EFFECTS!!"

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

54 Report

Falco
Taken for 10 years or more
March 2, 2015

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been taking 18MCG caps evey morning for almost sixteen (16!) years. It, alondgwith 4 inhalations of 160/4.5 Symbicort, 2 w/the S. in morning, two in evening ,have helped manage my mid-level empysema all that time. Emphysema can and does kill, of course; and it does really not 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 MedC Part D. $45/mo until donut hole, then closer to $250/mo."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

62 Report

ths
November 3, 2009

For COPD, Maintenance "I have Homogenious/Diffused 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."

Was this helpful?Yes No

86 Report

Hoodoo...
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 HFR. 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."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

37 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

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 70% and I am living on inhalers every 3hrs. And I feel like an elephant has parked himself on my chest! Quality of life is minimal so I'm ready to resume taking Spiriva."

8 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

73 Report

Tinke...
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."

5 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

31 Report

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 began to notice dry flakey skin, and eye hemorrhages, with migraine type headaches with flashing halos in colours. 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 is eye problems, and headaches. Very bad for people with heart conditions, 52% mortality. Having to get used to living with out it. Bp is normal again, and I don't have red eye all the time. As is is skin getting back to normal, it was like cardboard dry, no matter what I did. Plus one big red hive on my cheek ."

2 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

24 Report

DavidMB
November 10, 2014

For COPD, Maintenance "Was diagnosed with COPD Emphysema several years ago.Have been using Spiriva since but still cannot say that I notice any benefit. My GP's, chest nurses, and consultants (9 different ones over the years) maintain that I am benefitting from using it. Do suffer from leg cramps, so will be trying Potassium supplements to see if they help."

5 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

52 Report

boswan
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 Dr. that my eyeballs feel swollen and must blink constantly because of some fluid in my eyes causing blurred vision. The Dr. said he doesn't know why I am suffering with these symptoms. Last January 2016 he did discover Glaucoma in one eye. My next appt. 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 Med. I pray it is NOT permanent damage to my eyes."

7 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

42 Report

charlie
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 2'nd. 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. Its been over a week since I stopped but I still have terrible dry mouth and a sore throat. Bummer!"

Was this helpful?Yes No

32 Report

Doodl...
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 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 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"

5 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

35 Report

Mr Ho...
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 Sprivia, 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 Symicort [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 times and have realized that I can do without the Symicort with not much variation in the O2 Saturation, bit when the Spiriva is halted for 48 hours the O2 Saturation drops"

4 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

46 Report

Mamas...
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."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

45 Report

blimba
October 2, 2010

For COPD, Maintenance "Living in 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."

Was this helpful?Yes No

64 Report

Spud...
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 they reimbursed me for a box of the medication. They told me the amount of medication in the capsule would fit on a pin head. 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!"

6 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

38 Report

Anonymous
September 30, 2011

For COPD, Maintenance "My Doctor put me on Spiriva a year ago for my COPD. It has helped me to be able to breathe so much better. I used to be sick all the time and had bronchitis every 2 months that went by. Since Spiriva, I have not been sick but a few times. It is a blessing to me."

9 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

55 Report

Peeki...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
November 24, 2017

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been on Spiriva about 2 months now with considerable improvement on lung function from my COPD. My problem is the actual Inhaler - it is DEFINITELY flawed. Many capsules are empty and 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!!!"

Was this helpful?Yes No

33 Report

Rose
January 29, 2020

For COPD, Maintenance "I've just been diagnosed with mild/moderate Emphysema. I have only one symptom. Shortness of breath once in awhile. I have been using Spiriva for 5 days and have the deepest, most congested cough. It's so bad it gives me headaches. I just emailed my doctor with my symptoms and said I couldn't take this any longer. I asked why do I have to treat at this time. I'm worse now than when I used the Spiriva. The cough makes me sound like I have T.B. I sure hope it goes away."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

24 Report

white...
March 24, 2008

For COPD, Maintenance "Hi I also found pieces of capsule in my mouth and wondered if I was inhaling them, also I found it was easy to breath during the first week and now it is labored breathing.. Lemme know if anyone else has such symtoms... Thanks"

Was this helpful?Yes No

63 Report

Anonymous
March 30, 2009

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been using Spiriva for a couple of years now and find it to be a life saver. I have had no problems whatsoever. It is very convenient to use. No side effects. I can tell the difference in my breathing if I miss a couple of doses."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

60 Report

Kitty
Taken for 1 to 2 years
February 28, 2018

For COPD, Maintenance "Been on spiriva 1 1\2 years & first day saw fantastic results in breathing. I am 68. Thought retirement was going to be better. But last 6 months, blood pressure has risen so I have to start taking meds for that. I also feel like spiriva is not working as well. I am also on advair twice a day and abuterol as needed. I might try to go without spiriva for a couple of days. I, too, had empty capsules or so I thought. Called company and they said to put large end of capsule in inhaler first and gently tap bottom of inhaler on sink or cabinet then press button to make holes and keep inhaler level and suck in not real fast. He was very helpful and caring. He said there is very little medicine in capsule. He had me return the rest of the box on their dime and sent me a new box (at pharmacy). I haven't had any trouble since. My prayers to all."

9 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

30 Report

Hater...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
March 27, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "I was put on Spiriva over 4 yrs. ago. I noticed a change in my urine output pretty quickly but the worst of it came out this week after being given Baclofen as well. The 2 together have had me dealing with sore throat and swollen glands. Difficulty swallowing, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, UTI, dry mouth, weird taste and smells, tremors and insomnia."

1 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

25 Report

black...
April 21, 2008

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been using Spiriva for 1 year now and I have been breathing far better and not having as many attacks as before I began using Spiriva. I find the product very easy to use and also more effective than most other drugs I used before. I have never had a problem with bits of capsule in my mouth or anything."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

59 Report

Wayne
Taken for less than 1 month
May 8, 2016

For COPD, Maintenance "This is my second day with this drug and I can already see improvement in the quality of my life. First thing every morning out of bed, I had to go to the nebulizer in order to breathe after removing CPAP mask. Today I didn't have to use it at all. I haven't noticed any side effects and don't expect any."

10 / 10

Was this helpful?Yes No

34 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.