Spiriva

Spiriva is a prescription medication used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Spiriva is in a class of medications called bronchodilators. It works by relaxing and opening the air passages to the lungs. It makes it easier to breathe.

This medication comes in capsule form to use with a specially designed inhaler. Spiriva capsules are not to be swallowed. Instead, using the Spiriva HandiHaler, the capsule is punctured, and the powder inside the capsule is inhaled into the lungs. Spiriva is taken once a day.

Common side effects include upper respiratory tract infection, dry mouth, and sinus infection.

Spiriva is a prescription medication used each day to control symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take Spiriva exactly as prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. 

The recommended dose of Spiriva is two inhalations of the powder contents of one Spiriva capsule, once-daily, with the HandiHaler device.

Do not use Spiriva if you are allergic to tiotropium, ipratropium (Atrovent), or any of the ingredients in Spiriva.

Spiriva can cause serious side effects, including: 

Allergic reaction. Symptoms may include:

• raised red patches on your skin (hives)
• itching
• rash
• swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing

If you have these symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop taking Spiriva and call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Sudden narrowing and blockage of the airways into the lungs (bronchospasm). If your breathing suddenly gets worse, stop taking Spiriva and call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

New or worsened increased pressure in the eyes (acute narrow-angle glaucoma). Symptoms of acute narrow-angle glaucoma may include:

• eye pain
• blurred vision
• seeing halos (visual halos) or colored images along with red eyes

Using only eye drops to treat these symptoms may not work. If you have these symptoms, stop taking Spiriva and call your doctor right away.

New or worsened urinary retention. Symptoms of blockage in your bladder and/or enlarged prostate may include: 

• difficulty passing urine
• painful urination.

If you have these symptoms of urinary retention, stop taking Spiriva and call your doctor right away.

Do not let the powder from the Spiriva capsule get into your eyes. Your vision may get blurry and the pupil in your eye may get larger (dilate). If this happens, call your doctor.

Spiriva can cause dizziness and blurred vision. Should you experience these symptoms you should use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car or operating appliances or other machines.

Spiriva can cause serious side effects. See "Drug Precautions". 

Other side effects with Spiriva include:

• upper respiratory tract infection
• dry mouth
• sinus infection
• sore throat
• non-specific chest pain
• urinary tract infection
• indigestion
• runny nose
• constipation
• increased heart rate
• blurred vision

These are not all the possible side effects with Spiriva. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines and eye drops, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some of your other medicines or supplements may affect the way Spiriva works. Spiriva is an anticholinergic medicine. You should not take other anticholinergic medicines while using Spiriva, including ipratropium. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if one of your medicines is an anticholinergic.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

This medication falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Spiriva passes into breast milk. You and your doctor will decide if Spiriva is right for you while you breastfeed.

Do not swallow tiotropium capsules.

Only use tiotropium capsules with the HandiHaler device.

Do not use the HandiHaler device to take any other medicine.

If your breathing suddenly gets worse, stop taking tiotropium and call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Tiotropium can cause dizziness and blurred vision. Should you experience these symptoms you should use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car or operating appliances or other machines.