Get Informed: Spiriva
Active Ingredient(s)
Tiotropium
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is an anticholinergic medication, blocking receptors in the lung that regulate airway constriction.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 10:48 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Spiriva
- Spiriva Handihaler
- Tiotropium
- Tiotropium Bromide
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 30 Jan 2004
- Est US Patients*
- 1,037,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Spiriva or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Spiriva
There have been no alerts regarding Spiriva during the past year.
Spiriva Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Spiriva interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Spiriva used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 6,000 patients that use Spiriva (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| COPD | 91% | 
|
| Asthma | 19% | 
|
| Other | 3% |
|
How well does Spiriva work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 6,000 users taking Spiriva (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 86%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Spiriva outweigh the bad things.
- 10%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Spiriva.
Common Side Effects of Spiriva
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 6,000 users taking Spiriva (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
21% of patients experience side-effects on Spiriva
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Spiriva
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Dry Mouth
-
Dryness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Blurred Vision, Dehydration, Dental Problems, Fatigue, Headache, Hoarse Voice, Hot Flushes, Palpitations, Weakness
Global Patient Feedback for Spiriva (Tiotropium) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Has anyone experienced difficulty urinating while taking Sprirva?
65 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-14 12:37:03
Question/Comment:
Is there any problem or advantage with taking both Spirva and Symbicort at the same time? Is this "overkill?"
69 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-02 12:40:45
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Some patients require both inhalers to manage their lung condition, and benefit from using both. It is difficult to assess if this "overkill" for you without knowing exactly which lung condition you have and how severe your symptoms. If you have concerns about your medications, please discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist or seek a second opinion.
Posted: 2009-11-01 22:47:10
Question/Comment:
I started using Spiriva last Friday, September 4. I was so excited and amazed at the improvement in my breathing. I was more active the past few days than I've been in months, because I was breathing so good. On Monday, Sept. 7 I began to have some dizzy spells and a heart irregularity. By Thursday, yesterday the 10th I was at the hospital with irregular heart beat. Of course, once I was there it didn't beat funny. I'm now on what they call an Event Monitor. I'm suppose to push record when I feel the irregular beat, but the irregular beating is too short lived and sporadic for me to catch it on the monitor. In the mean time my Dr. told me to quit using the Spiriva. I am so upset. I think if I'm having a reaction involving my heart it's because I also take Doxepin which is a tricyclide antidepressant. Anyone have any experience with irregular heart beats taking Spiriva? I really want to take it, but don't want to go into Atrial Fibrillation.
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-11 17:46:53
Answer/Reply:
I have heart irregular heart beat and have before I started taking spiriva. My monitor sounded just like you situation. several years later I am still taking Spiriva and Toprol and I am fine. I am monitored by a heart doctor every 6 months.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-13 17:01:00
Question/Comment:
I was wondering what effect taking stereod over an extended time may do to a person? And will this product cause weight gain?! I am on so many drugs that has caused me to gain (over a period of 7-8 years) from 140-150 to 317lbs. I have managed to cut back some on the drugs and lost down to 285 in a matter of 4 months. All comments are appreciated. Thanks.
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-08 13:25:23
Question/Comment:
I am a stage 3 COPD patient who has been on Spiriva and Advair for about two years. On Dec.23rd 2008, I stopped using the Spiriva because I have been having strange symptoms which I beleive to be long term side effects of these drugs. One of those symptoms was the sporadic appearance of "wine stain" birthmark-looking patches on my skin, mostly on my arms. I am not breathing quite as well as I was when using the Spiriva, but I have had no more of the discolored skin patches since I discontinued its use. I'm certainly no doctor, but these discolorations were obviously the result of burst blood vessels under my skin. On my arms, they only pose a cosmetic issue, however in my head they might pose a different (and much more serious) problem.
I am still experiencing other symptoms(similar to "hay fever"- itchy eyes, sneezing, etc.) I believe to be side effects of Advair, but without it my breathing becomes too difficult. I would like to get away from Advair also, but know no alternatives. I would welcome comments from anyone else familiar with these drugs or with effective alternative therapies for COPD.
56 year old Male
Posted: 2009-01-20 14:04:39
Answer/Reply:
I switched to Foradil. You might try it.
61 year old Female
Posted: 2009-01-22 12:15:13
Answer/Reply:
I'm 53 year old diagnosed w/ COPD and I'm on Spiriva, Symbicort and Singulair. I only use the medications once a day in the morning and it is helping me breathe much better. I was going to this "quack" Dr. who was only interested in getting his $ - he had me on Q-var which did nothing for me. He also had me on Advair at first and it broke my face out in a rash. I changed Dr.'s and he has had me on this regiment for over a year now and I'm walking 5 miles, doing yoga and exercise w/out getting out of breath. I've also got high blood pressure and I take one Exforge tablet a day. My blood pressure is also under control. I just went to the Dr. today - my breathing is improving steadily but, I think along w/ the meds and the exercise I can do alright. I hope you will too.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-18 16:09:16
Answer/Reply:
Hello, I too have been on Spiriva and Advair for years, maybe four or more. I did well up until last month when I got really short or breath, especially at night. My pulmonologist switched me to a Symbicort 160/4.5 inhaler two puffs, am & pm. I have had good luck, I have also added DuoMed nebulizer in the morning with very good results. I haven't had to use the Alburerol inhaler at all since I started this. the Symbicort is another steroid inhailer ("cort" = cortisone, I think) but it works great for me. I think maybe your allergic symptoms are maybe seasonal or enviromentally related, just as mine are. I also take an OTC med for sinus and allergy during the day when my eyes swell up and my nose gets plugged up and that helps. I hope, with all my heart, you find your perfect balance of meds. I'm 66 years old and have been messing with this and have been on oxygen since 2003 (I think). I wish the best for you. God Bless.
68 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-18 17:24:55
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Spirva since Sept. 08. After having problems, which put me in the hospital. I have been on advair for aprox. 4 years. the only side effects are vision problems. I'll keep my mind and eyes open for more.
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-03 18:49:00
Answer/Reply:
I was thinking after reading this comment that maybe that was why I was also getting all these red blood splotches, so I stopped taking the medicine for a few days and the splotched cleared up. Then I took it for two days and my left arm was loaded with the splotches. So now because I don't see any difference it make me believe the product wasn't helping anyway. So now I will report this to the company and my doctor. And let them advise. I had a similar problem with Advair. I was always getting lung infections, as soon as I was switched to Serevent no more lung infections.
"What is right is not always popular. What is popular is not always
right"
Lyle
Enjoying Every Breath
Retired US Army
1957 - 1978
70 year old Male
Posted: 2009-04-20 19:03:42
Answer/Reply:
i switched from advair to foridal twice a day along with qvar. It did wonders for me. 59 yr old gal
63 year old Male
Posted: 2009-07-11 14:08:50
Answer/Reply:
Foradil and Qvar did wonders for me. 59 copd patient
63 year old Male
Posted: 2009-07-12 13:20:31
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36
Patient Comments about
Spiriva