Spiriva is a medicine used to treat bronchospasm (wheezing or difficulty in breathing) that is associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Full description

Spiriva is a medicine used to treat bronchospasm (wheezing or difficulty in breathing) that is associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a long-term lung disease. It is also called COPD. COPD also includes breathing problems like chronic bronchitis (swelling of the airways or tubes leading to the lungs) and emphysema (damage to the air sacs in the lungs).

Spiriva is a bronchodilator. A bronchodilator is a medicine that opens up narrowed breathing passages. It is taken by inhalation (an inhaler) to help decrease coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air into the lungs

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Special precautions

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For Spiriva , the following should be considered:

Allergies— tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to Spiriva , ipratropium, atropine, or inhaled lactose. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy— this medicine has not been studied in pregnant women. Before taking this medicine, be sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Breast-feeding— It is not known whether inhaled Spiriva passes into breast milk. Mothers who are taking this medicine and wish to breast feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children— Studies on this medicine have only been done in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of Spiriva in children with use in other age groups. The disease that this medicine treats does not normally occur in children.

Older adults— this medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines— although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are using tiotrop Spiriva ium, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Ipratropium (e.g., Atrovent) — using these medicines at the same time has not been studied and is not recommended

Other medical problems— the presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Spiriva . Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Difficulty urinating (bladder problems) or
• Narrow angle glaucoma (eye condition) or
• Enlarged prostate — this medicine can make these conditions worse

Side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

•  More common

• Arm, back or jaw pain;  chest pain or discomfort;  chest tightness or heaviness;  fast or irregular heartbeat;  nausea ;  shortness of breath;  sweating 

•  Less common

• Cough;  difficulty swallowing;  dizziness;  hives;  itching;  painful blisters on trunk of body;  puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue;  skin rash;  tightness in chest;  unusual tiredness or weakness ;  wheezing 

•  Rare

• Fainting;  large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs;  palpitations;  pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse 

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

•  More Common

• Acid or sour stomach;  belching;  bladder pain;  bloody or cloudy urine ;  body aches or pain;  chest pain;  chills;  congestion ;  cough;  difficult, burning, or painful urination;  difficulty in breathing;  dry mouth;  dryness of throat;  ear congestion;  fever;  frequent urge to urinate;  headache;  heartburn;  hoarseness;  indigestion;  loss of voice;  lower back or side pain;  nasal congestion ;  pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones ;  runny nose;  sneezing;  sore throat;  stomach discomfort, upset or pain;  stuffy nose;  tender, swollen glands in neck;  trouble in swallowing;  troubled breathing;  unusual tiredness or weakness;  voice changes 

•  Less common

• Abdominal pain;  bloody nose;  blurred vision;  burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings;  canker sores;  difficulty having a bowel movement (stool);  discouragement;  fatigue;  feeling sad or empty;  flushed, dry skin;  fruit-like breath odor;  increased hunger;  increased thirst;  increased urination;  irritability;  lack of appetite;  large amount of cholesterol in the blood;  leg pain;  loss of interest or pleasure;  muscle pain;  nausea;  painful or difficult urination ;  skeletal pain;  sore mouth or tongue;  sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or tongue or inside the mouth;  sweating;  swelling;  swelling or inflammation of the mouth;  tiredness;  troubled breathing;  trouble concentrating;  trouble sleeping;  unexplained weight loss;  vomiting;  white patches in mouth and/or on tongue 

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Don't let anyone else take your medicines.