tiotropium inhalation

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

Brand Names: Spiriva

What is tiotropium inhalation?

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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

A tiotropium capsule is for use only in the HandiHaler device. Do not take the capsule by mouth. Use only one capsule at a time.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or an enlarged prostate or bladder obstruction.

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.

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.

Talk with your doctor if any of your medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing bronchospasm attacks.

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

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tiotropium or ipratropium (Atrovent, Combivent, DuoNeb).

To make sure you can safely take tiotropium inhalation, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

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  narrow-angle glaucoma;

  
  


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  kidney disease;

  
  


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  enlarged prostate or urination problems; or

  
  


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  if you are allergic to milk.

  
  

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?

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

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.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

The tiotropium capsule is for use only in the HandiHaler device. Do not take the capsule by mouth. Use only one capsule at a time.

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

Talk with your doctor if any of your medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing attacks.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your lung function will need to be tested on a regular basis. Visit your doctor regularly.

Keep each tiotropium capsule in its blister pack until you are ready to place the capsule into the HandiHaler and use the device. Throw away any capsule that is not used right after you have taken it out of the blister pack. Exposure to air can ruin the capsule. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not use the Spiriva Handihaler more than 1 time in a 24-hour period.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, eye redness, constipation, stomach pain, and confusion or drowsiness.

What should I avoid while using tiotropium inhalation?

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water.

Tiotropium inhalation side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  wheezing, chest pain or tightness, trouble breathing;

  
  


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  pain or burning when you urinate;

  
  


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  blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights;

  
  


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  rapid heart rate;

  
  


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  sores or white patches of your mouth, lips, or tongue; or

  
  


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  urinating less than usual or not at all.

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  dry mouth;

  
  


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  constipation, upset stomach, vomiting;

  
  


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  cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;

  
  


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  nosebleed; or

  
  


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  muscle pain.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tiotropium inhalation Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease -- Maintenance:

18 mcg by inhalation once daily.

What other drugs will affect tiotropium inhalation?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

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  atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine);

  
  


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  belladonna (Donnatal, and others)

  
  


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  benztropine (Cogentin);

  
  


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  dimenhydrinate (Dramamine);

  
  


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  methscopolamine (Pamine);

  
  


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  scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);

  
  


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  theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron, Uniphyl), and others;

  
  


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  tiotropium (Spiriva);

  
  


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  bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin (Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or solifenacin (Vesicare);

  
  


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  cough, cold, or allergy medicine;

  
  


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  irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (Hyomax), or propantheline (Pro Banthine);

  
  


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  steroid medication such as prednisone (Deltasone, Sterapred), methylprednisolone (Medrol), fluticasone (Advair , Flonase, Flovent, Veramyst), beclomethasone (Qvar), budesonide (Pulmicort, Rhinocort, Symbicort), dexamethasone (Cortastat, Dexasone, Solurex, DexPak), mometasone (Asmanex, Nasonex), triamcinolone (Nasacort), and others; or

  
  


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  ulcer medications such as glycopyrrolate (Robinul) or mepenzolate (Cantil).

  
  

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with tiotropium inhalation. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More tiotropium inhalation resources

• Tiotropium inhalation Side Effects (in more detail)
• Tiotropium inhalation Dosage
• Tiotropium inhalation Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Tiotropium inhalation Drug Interactions
• Tiotropium inhalation Support Group
• 28 Reviews for Tiotropium - Add your own review/rating

Compare tiotropium inhalation with other medications

• COPD, Maintenance

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about tiotropium inhalation.

See also: tiotropium side effects (in more detail)