Spiriva
Generic Name: TiotropiumBrand Name: Spiriva
What is Spiriva?
Spiriva is an anticholinergic agent. It works by enlarging the airways to allow easier breathing. It comes as a capsule containing dry powder, which is inhaled through the mouth using the HandiHaler device.
Spiriva is used to prevent bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways in the lungs) in people with bronchitis, emphysema, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Spiriva may also be used for other purposes not listed here
Important information about Spiriva
Spiriva 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 Spiriva, 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 Spiriva or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Spiriva is used to prevent bronchospasm attacks. Do not use Spiriva 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 Spiriva 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.
Before using Spiriva
Do not use Spiriva if you are allergic to tiotropium, ipratropium (Atrovent) or atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine). Spiriva is used to prevent bronchospasm attacks. Do not use Spiriva 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 Spiriva, 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 Spiriva.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Spiriva 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 Spiriva without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
