Tiotropium (By breathing)

Introduction:

Tiotropium (tye-oh-TROE-pee-um)

Prevents the symptoms of bronchospasm caused by emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Brand Name(s):

Spiriva

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Spiriva® capsules should be used only with the HandiHaler® device. Do not swallow the capsule. Do not use the HandiHaler® device with any other medicine.
• Each capsule contains powder that is released from the HandiHaler®device when you use it. Do not let the medicine powder get into your eyes.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Leave the capsules in their blister pack until you are ready to use the medicine. Open only one blister at a time when you are ready to remove a capsule and put it into the HandiHaler® device. Once you have opened a blister, use the capsule right away.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine for incontinence, stomach cramps, ulcers, or muscle spasms, or to prevent nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness. This would include Anaspaz®, Bentyl®, Cystospaz®, Detrol®, Norflex®, Robinul®, Transderm-Scop®, and others.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have glaucoma, prostate problems, urination problems, or kidney disease.
• This medicine will not stop a bronchospasm that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an acute attack.
• If you use other medicines for your lung condition and they do not seem to be working as well as usual, call your doctor right away. Do not change your doses or stop using your medicines without asking your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Eye pain or redness and vision problems.
• Fast heartbeat.
• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Dry eyes, mildly blurred vision.
• Dry mouth, sore throat.
• Problems with urination.
• Runny or stuffy nose, cough, or other cold symptoms.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: