Spiriva (Tiotropium Bromide) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images 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 Side Effects

Brand Names: Spiriva

Generic Name: tiotropium inhalation (Pronunciation: tye oh TROE pee um)

What is tiotropium inhalation (Spiriva)?

Tiotropium inhalation is used to prevent bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways in the lungs) in people with bronchitis, emphysema, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Tiotropium inhalation may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of tiotropium inhalation (Spiriva)?

Stop using tiotropium inhalation and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

tongue swelling or redness;
sores or white patches of your mouth, lips, or tongue; or
urinating less than usual or not at all.

Less serious side effects may include:

dry mouth, cough, hoarseness;
blurred vision;
trouble swallowing;
nausea, constipation, upset stomach;
stuffy nose, nosebleed;
fast heart rate;
drowsiness; or
white patches in your mouth or throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about tiotropium inhalation (Spiriva)?

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

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or an enlarged prostate or bladder obstruction. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use tiotropium inhalation or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

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.

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.

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.

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