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:
- 2010-Mar-13 9:04 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-13 9:01 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*
- 997,200
- 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
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 is currently tracking more than 6,600 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 | 94% | 
|
| Asthma | 19% |
|
How well does Spiriva work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 6,600 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)
- 72%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Spiriva outweigh the bad things.
- 22%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Spiriva.
Common Side Effects of Spiriva
iGuard regularly polls our more than 6,600 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.
23% of patients experience side-effects on Spiriva
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Spiriva
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Dryness
-
Muscle Pain/Cramps
-
Altered Taste/Smell
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Constipation, Cough, Eye Irritation, Insomnia
Global Patient Feedback for Spiriva (Tiotropium) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Does it matter what time of day I use my inhalers, Spiriva, Fordil and Proventil? I know two of them are maintenance and Proventil is a rescue.
82 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-24 12:49:12
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Spiriva is to be used once per day at the same time each day and Foradil is to be used at the most every 12 hours, and no closer together than that. The time of day should not matter. As you said, the Proventil is a rescue inhaler that should be used when you are feeling short of breath, unless it has been prescribed otherwise by your physician. If your physician has prescribed the Proventil to be used on a scheduled basis, you should use it about 15 minutes prior to the Foradil and the Spiriva. Only use Proventil regularly if it is prescribed that way.
Posted: 2010-02-26 11:28:32
Question/Comment:
Has anyone experienced difficulty urinating while taking Sprirva?
65 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-11-14 12:37:03
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Spiriva has anticholinergic actions, and it has the potential to decrease urine output and cause difficulty urinating. However, Spiriva is not greatly absorbed, so there may be the other reasons you have this symptom. It would be best to make an appointment with your physician to discuss your symptoms and explore all possible causes.
Posted: 2009-11-17 01:42:33
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 – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-10-02 12:40:45
iGuard 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 – Source: iGuard United States
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.
55 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
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 – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-08 13:25:23
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
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Patient Comments about
Spiriva