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Spiriva Handihaler

Spiriva Handihaler

Tiotropium-inh

Tiotropium belongs to the class of medications called bronchodilators. Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) is used once daily for the long-term relief of symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing associated with the lung disease known as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) (COPD), which includes chronic Bronchitis and emphysema.

Available form

Inhaler, Powder

Dosage

2.5mcg, 18mcg

Manufacturers

Boehringer Ingelheim

Generic brand of

Tiotropium-inhalation

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Spiriva Handihaler information

Dosage

Side Effects

Available Form

Contraindications

Precautions

Warnings

For adults and children 18 years of age and older, the recommended dosage of tiotropium is to inhale the contents of one 18 µg capsule once daily through the HandiHaler® inhalation device.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Take Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) at the same time each morning. The capsule shell should be discarded after the medication has been taken. Do not swallow the capsule shell.

Your doctor or another health care professional, such as your pharmacist, should teach you how to use the HandiHaler® inhalation device. If you are unsure of how to use the device, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

It is important to take Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

bad taste in your mouth
Constipation
cough
dizziness
Dry Mouth or throat
dry skin
hoarseness
joint swelling
nosebleed
rash, itching
sinus infection
skin infection or sores
sore throat
trouble sleeping

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

blurred vision or other changes in vision
difficulty passing urine
heartburn
rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
signs of dehydration (e.g., decreased urine, dry skin, dry and sticky mouth, sleepiness, dizziness, headache, thirst, confusion)
sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or tongue or inside the mouth
swelling or redness of the mouth, gums, or tongue
symptoms of a urinary tract infection (e.g. pain when urinating, urinating more often than usual, low back or flank pain)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

cough, wheezing, or breathlessness immediately after using the inhaler
lack of bowel movements (bowel obstruction)
signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
trouble swallowing

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh).

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh).

Asthma Medications: Tiotropium is intended for use with other medications to treat asthma. It should not be used to treat asthma if you are not also using a corticosteroid and a long-acting beta-agonist. It does not provide fast relief from asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. Always carry a short-acting beta-agonist, such as salbutamol, with you to treat sudden flare-ups of symptoms.

Bladder or urinary problems: Tiotropium can worsen symptoms of bladder problems. If you have a history of bladder problems, discuss with your doctor how Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Dizziness/blurred vision: Tiotropium may cause dizziness or blurred vision, affecting your ability to safely drive or operate machinery. Avoid these and other hazardous tasks until you know how Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) affects you.

Enlarged prostate: Tiotropium can worsen symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as difficulty starting urination. If you have an enlarged prostate, discuss with your doctor how Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Glaucoma: People with eye conditions (e.g., glaucoma) are more likely to experience worsening of their conditions and symptoms such as eye pain and swelling, blurred vision, or other unusual changes in their vision. Take extra care to ensure that tiotropium powder does not come into contact with your eyes. If your eyes have been in contact with tiotropium powder or you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Inhalation-induced bronchospasm: Inhaled forms of medications may cause spasms of the airways which make breathing difficult. If you experience this problem when using tiotropium, stop using Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) immediately. Speak to your doctor if you experience any problems with breathing while taking this or other inhaled medication.

Kidney function: Reduced kidney function or Kidney Disease may cause tiotropium to build up in the body, causing side effects. In people with reduced kidney function, tiotropium should only be used if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Urinary tract problems: Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) can cause increased difficulty with urine flow and urinary retention. If you have an enlarged prostate gland or another condition that makes it difficult to pass urine, discuss with your doctor how Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience difficulty starting to urinate or have pain when you urinate, speak with your doctor as soon as possible.

Worsening symptoms: If you find you need to use your short-acting ("rescue") inhaler more often or if your condition seems to worsen, call your doctor. If you have not been given instructions beforehand, contact your doctor immediately about what to do if any of the following situations occur (they may be signs of seriously worsening COPD or asthma):

decreased effectiveness of short-acting, inhaled bronchodilators such as salbutamol, terbutaline, or fenoterol (less than 4 hours of relief)
need for more inhalations than usual of short-acting, inhaled bronchodilators

Pregnancy: No studies have been done on the use of tiotropium by pregnant women. Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) may pass into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using tiotropium, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Spiriva Handihaler (Tiotropium-inh) for children younger than 18 years of age have not been established.

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