Spiriva

Tiotropium Bromide

Brand(s):

• Tiova

Manufacturer:

• Cipla Limited

Disease(s):

• Bronchospasm / Bronchitis / Emphysema / Or COPD (chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Tiotropium Inhaler

What is Tiotropium?

Tiotropium is an anticholinergic medication. Its primary function is to widen the airways in your lungs, making breathing easier. This is achieved by relaxing the muscles surrounding the airways, preventing them from narrowing. This action is crucial for managing respiratory conditions.

It's primarily used to prevent bronchospasm (the constriction of airways), a common symptom in individuals with bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tiotropium helps maintain open airways, reducing the frequency and severity of breathing difficulties.

Important Information Before Using Tiotropium

Before starting tiotropium, it's essential to inform your healthcare provider about your medical history. You should not use tiotropium if you have a known allergy to tiotropium or ipratropium (found in medications like Atrovent, Combivent, and DuoNeb).

Your doctor needs to know if you have any of the following conditions, as they could affect your treatment with tiotropium:

• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Kidney disease
• Enlarged prostate or urinary problems
• Milk allergy

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Tiotropium falls under FDA pregnancy category C. This means that the potential risks to an unborn baby are not fully understood. Discuss your pregnancy plans or current pregnancy with your doctor before using this medication. The effects of tiotropium on breastfeeding infants are also not fully known. Consult your physician if you are breastfeeding.

How to Use Tiotropium

Always follow your doctor's instructions carefully when using tiotropium. Never exceed the recommended dosage or duration of treatment. Your prescription label will contain specific instructions.

Tiotropium is a preventative medication designed to reduce bronchospasm attacks. It's not intended for immediate relief of an already occurring attack; it will not act fast enough to alleviate symptoms. For immediate relief of an attack, you need a fast-acting inhaler as prescribed by your doctor.

For maximum effectiveness, use tiotropium regularly as directed. Ensure you refill your prescription before running out of medication to maintain consistent treatment.

If you feel your medication is not as effective in preventing or treating attacks, talk to your doctor. Regular lung function tests are necessary to monitor the medication's effectiveness. These are typically conducted during routine doctor visits.

Missed Dose

Take your dose as soon as you remember. However, if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one. Never use the tiotropium inhaler more than once in a 24-hour period.

Things to Watch Out For

Avoid getting tiotropium in your eyes. If accidental contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.

Potential Side Effects

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, including hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience a serious side effect such as:

• Wheezing, chest pain or tightness, trouble breathing
• Pain or burning during urination
• Blurred vision, eye pain or redness, halos around lights
• Rapid heart rate
• Mouth sores or white patches on the mouth, lips, or tongue
• Reduced or absent urination

Less serious side effects may include:

• Dry mouth
• Constipation, upset stomach, vomiting
• Cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat)
• Nosebleeds
• Muscle pain

Drug Interactions

Always inform your doctor of all other medications you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. This is crucial because some medications may interact with tiotropium. This includes but is not limited to:

• Atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine)
• Belladonna (Donnatal, and others)
• Benztropine (Cogentin)
• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
• Methscopolamine (Pamine)
• Scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
• Theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron, Uniphyl, and others)
• Bladder or urinary medications (darifenacin, flavoxate, oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin)
• Cough, cold, or allergy medications
• Irritable bowel medications (dicyclomine, hyoscyamine, propantheline)
• Steroid medications (prednisone, methylprednisolone, fluticasone, beclomethasone, budesonide, dexamethasone, mometasone, triamcinolone, and others)
• Ulcer medications (glycopyrrolate, mepenzolate)

This list is not exhaustive; other medications could potentially interact with tiotropium. Always inform your physician before starting any new medication while taking tiotropium.

Storage

Store tiotropium at room temperature, away from moisture and excessive heat.