Spiriva HandiHaler

Generic name: Tiotropium Inhalation
Drug class: Anticholinergic bronchodilators

Usage of Spiriva HandiHaler

Spiriva HandiHaler is a bronchodilator that is used to prevent bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways in the lungs) in adults with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), including bronchitis and emphysema.

Spiriva HandiHaler is also used to prevent asthma attacks in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.

Spiriva HandiHaler may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Spiriva HandiHaler side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Spiriva HandiHaler may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems after using Spiriva HandiHaler;

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

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

pain or burning when you urinate; or

little or no urinating.

Common side effects of Spiriva HandiHaler may include:

dry mouth;

blurred vision;

constipation, painful urination;

upset stomach;

chest pain, fast heart rate; or

cold symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose, sinus pain, sore throat.

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.

Before taking Spiriva HandiHaler

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

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

narrow-angle glaucoma;

kidney disease;

a milk allergy; or

an enlarged prostate or urination problems.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether tiotropium will harm an unborn baby. However, having uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy may cause premature birth, a low birth weight baby, or complications such as eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of treating asthma may outweigh any risks to the baby.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Spiriva HandiHaler is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Spiriva HandiHaler

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Spiriva HandiHaler is not a rescue medicine for bronchospasm attacks. Use only fast-acting inhalation medicine for an attack. Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your medications are not working as well.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Spiriva HandiHaler powder is packaged in capsules that are for use only with a special inhaler device (Spiriva HandiHaler). Do not take the capsule by mouth.

Spiriva HandiHaler aerosol is a cartridge that is inserted into a special inhaler device (Spiriva Respimat). Turning the base of the Respimat device until it clicks will release the medicine into the inhaler chamber.

Any child using Spiriva HandiHaler should be supervised by an adult while using this medicine.

You may need frequent lung function tests.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

Do not remove a tiotropium capsule from its blister pack until you are ready to place the capsule into the HandiHaler and use the device.

Warnings

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.

What other drugs will affect Spiriva HandiHaler

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

medicine to treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illness;

cold or allergy medicine (Benadryl and others);

medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;

medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome;

medicine to treat overactive bladder; or

bronchodilator asthma medication.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect tiotropium, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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