Spiriva (Tiotropium Bromide) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Spiriva

Acute Bronchitis »

What is acute bronchitis?

Air is pulled into the lungs when we breathe, initially passing through the mouth, nose, and larynx (voicebox) into the trachea and continues en route to each lung via either the right or left bronchi (the bronchial tree - bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli). Bronchi are formed as the lower part of the trachea divides into two tubes that lead to the lungs. As the bronchi get farther away from the trachea, each bronchial tube divides and gets smaller (resembling an inverted tree) to provide the air to lung tissue so that it can transfer oxygen to the blood stream and remove carbon dioxide (the waste product of metabolism).

Bronchitis describes inflammation of the bronchial tubes (inflammation = itis). The inflammation causes swelling of the lining of these breathing tubes, narrowing the tubes and promoting secretion of inflammatory fluid.

Acute bronchitis describes the inflammation of the bronchi u...

Read the Acute Bronchitis article »

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Spiriva Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using tiotropium inhalation (Spiriva)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tiotropium, ipratropium (Atrovent) or atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine).

Tiotropium inhalation is used to prevent bronchospasm attacks. Do not use this medication to treat a bronchospasm attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication to treat an attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing bronchospasm attacks.

Before using tiotropium inhalation, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

narrow-angle glaucoma; or
an enlarged prostate or a bladder obstruction.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use tiotropium inhalation.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether tiotropium inhalation is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known if tiotropium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use tiotropium inhalation without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use tiotropium inhalation (Spiriva)?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Tiotropium inhalation and its inhaler device come with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Tiotropium capsules are for use only in the HandiHaler device. Use only one capsule at a time. Do not take the capsules by mouth.

It is important to use tiotropium inhalation regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if it makes your condition worse. If it seems like you need to use more of any of your medications in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your lung function will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Keep each tiotropium capsule in its blister pack until you are ready to place the capsule into the HandiHaler and use the device for your dose.

Store tiotropium inhalation at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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