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What is Spiriva inhalation
 Spiriva
inhalation is an anticholinergic medication. Spiriva prevents
narrowing of the airways.
Spiriva
inhalation is used in the treatment of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Spiriva
inhalation may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide.
General medical information about Spiriva inhalation
Spiriva inhalation is not intended for use during
acute bronchospastic attacks (sudden occurrence of difficulty
breathing). It may not be able to open your airways and
allow you to breath. Spiriva is used to prevent attacks.
It is very important that you use the Spiriva inhaler
properly, so that the medicine gets into the lungs. Talk
to your healthcare provider about proper inhaler use.
In rare cases, Spiriva inhalation has been associated with
the development of narrow-angle glaucoma, an eye disorder.
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms
suggestive of narrow-angle glaucoma such as eye pain or
discomfort, blurred vision, visual halos around objects,
color distortion, or redness of the eyes.
Do not
allow the powder to come into contact with the eyes. This
may cause blurring of vision and dilation of the pupils.
If contact with the eyes occurs, flush with water and seek
medical attention if side effects occur.
What you should discuss with your doctor before
using Spiriva inhalation Do not use Spiriva inhalation without first talking
to your doctor if you have:
- narrow-angle glaucoma;
or
- enlargement of the prostate; or
- difficulty
urinating.
You may not be able to use Spiriva inhalation,
or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring
during treatment if you have either of the conditions listed
above.
Spiriva inhalation is in the FDA pregnancy
category C. This means that it is not known whether it will
be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Spiriva inhalation
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is
not known whether Spiriva passes into breast milk. Do not
use Spiriva inhalation without first talking to your doctor
if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should you use Spiriva inhalation Use Spiriva inhalation exactly as directed by your
doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask
your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Spiriva capsules are intended for use in the inhaler
provided. Do not swallow the capsules. Do not use the inhaler
device to administer any medications other than Spiriva.
The Spiriva capsules should be stored in the sealed
blisters and only removed immediately before use. The drug
should be used immediately after the packaging over an individual
capsule is opened, or else its effectiveness may be reduced.
If additional capsules are accidentally exposed to air,
they should be thrown away and not used.
Separate
a blister card along the perforated line. Carefully peel
back the aluminum foil using the tab until one capsule is
fully visible. Peel back the foil only as far as the "STOP"
line printed on the foil to prevent exposure of more than
one capsule. After using the first capsule, the 2 remaining
capsules in the blister strip should be used over the next
2 consecutive days.
To use the inhaler:
-
Open the dust cap on the inhaler device by pulling it upwards.
Then, open the mouthpiece. Insert the capsule in the center
chamber. It does not matter which end of the capsule is
placed in the chamber. Close the mouthpiece firmly until
you hear a click, leaving the dust cap open.
- Hold
the inhaler device with the mouthpiece upwards and press
the piercing button completely in one time and release.
This makes holes in the capsule and allows the medication
to be released when you breathe in through the mouthpiece.
- Breathe out fully, away from the mouthpiece. Never
breathe into the mouthpiece.
- Raise the inhaler
to your mouth and close your lips tightly around the mouthpiece.
Keep your head in an upright position and breathe in slowly
and deeply but at a rate sufficient to hear the capsule
vibrate. Breathe in until your lungs are full. Hold your
breath as long as is comfortable and at the same time take
the inhaler out of your mouth. Resume normal breathing.
- To ensure you get the full dose, breathe out once
again, place the inhaler back in your mouth, and breathe
in deeply again.
- After completing a dose, open
the mouthpiece and tip out the used capsule and dispose.
Close the mouthpiece and dust cap for storage of the inhaler.
Spiriva inhalation is usually used once a day. Follow
your doctor's instructions. Do not use more of the medication
or use it more often than is directed.
The Spiriva
capsules contain only a small amount of powder and as a
result the capsule is only partially filled. After using
a dose, you may notice that a tiny amount of the powder
is left in the capsule. This is normal.
It is very
important that you use the Spiriva inhaler properly, so
that the medicine gets into the lungs. Talk to your healthcare
provider about proper inhaler use.
It is important
to use Spiriva inhalation regularly to get the most benefit.
Spiriva inhalation is not intended for use during
acute bronchospastic attacks (sudden occurrence of difficulty
breathing). It may not be able to open your airways and
allow you to breath. Spiriva is used to prevent attacks.
Your doctor may want you to have lung function tests
or other medical evaluations during treatment with ipratropium
inhalation to monitor progress and side effects.
Normally, during a one-month period of use, the inhaler
device does not need to be cleaned. However, if clean is
necessary, open the dust cap and mouth piece. Open the base
by lifting the piercing button. Rinse the complete inhaler
with warm water to remove any powder. Do not use cleaning
agents or detergents. Tip out any water and air-dry leaving
the dust cap, mouthpiece and base open. It takes about 24
hours to air dry, so if cleaning is needed, do it immediately
following a dose so it will be ready for the next dose.
Do not use the inhaler if it is wet. The outside of the
inhaler can be cleaned with a damp, not wet, tissue.
Store Spiriva inhalation at room temperature away from moisture
and heat. Store the capsules, unopened, in the blister packaging.
Do not store the capsules in the inhaler.
If you miss a dose: Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose,
skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do
not use a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected.
Symptoms of a Spiriva overdose may include
altered mental status, shaking, abdominal pain, and constipation.
What should you avoid while using Spiriva inhalation Do not allow the powder to come into contact with
the eyes. This may cause blurring of vision and dilation
of the pupils. If contact with the eyes occurs, flush with
water and seek medical attention if side effects occur.
Possible side effects of Spiriva inhalation In rare cases, Spiriva inhalation has been associated
with the development of narrow-angle glaucoma, an eye disorder.
Contact your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms
suggestive of narrow-angle glaucoma such as eye pain or
discomfort, blurred vision, visual halos around objects,
color distortion, or redness of the eyes.
If you
experience either of the following serious side effects,
stop using Spiriva inhalation and seek emergency medical
attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
or
- increased difficulty breathing.
Other,
less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to use Spiriva inhalation and talk to your doctor if you
experience
- dry mouth;
- constipation;
-
difficult or painful urination; or
- increased heart
rate.
Side effects other than those listed here may
also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that
seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Spiriva inhalation Before using Spiriva inhalation, talk to your doctor
if you are taking any of the following medicines:
-
ipratropium (Atrovent);
- albuterol and ipratropium
(Combivent, DuoNeb);
- dicyclomine (Bentyl),
-
propantheline (Pro-Banthine),
- mepenzolate (Cantil),
- methscopolamine (Pamine), and
- scopolamine
(Transderm-Scop).
You may not be able to use Spiriva
inhalation, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the
medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Spiriva
inhalation or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
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