Tiotropium User Reviews & Ratings

• cat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2013

For COPD, Maintenance "I was prescribed Spiriva about a year ago. At first, it was easier breathing with it. I developed over time issues. Ocular migraines, severe dry mouth, muscle pain, coughing that I didn't put together with the Spiriva. A few weeks ago, I began having badly blurred vision and did notice that it was happening about an hour after using Spiriva. I looked up the side effects online and found that this was a bad side effect of the drug. I stopped taking it and called my doctor. He simply told me to stop using it, but he did not tell me that some people get severe withdrawal symptoms. After three days, I had severe panic/anxiety attacks, lightheadedness, and felt like I was losing my mind. I was taking Xanax twice a day. All is gone now."

• sce...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2014

For COPD, Maintenance "My COPD was not getting any easier to live with. I stopped taking one medicine because it seemed to just make things worse. The doctor was not very helpful. But she did say, 'Well, you can try Spiriva.' I waited almost a week to try it. But when I had some time off from work, I decided it was time to give it a shot. I felt better quickly, but only for a few hours. I continued using it, and I must say that after 3 weeks, I am feeling much better. I got up this morning and did not even reach for the Albuterol. I am hopeful now, and I do recommend this medication. Side effects have been minor. Dry mouth is the only thing I can link to the medicine. I have started taking Potassium supplements again to overcome the leg cramps, which may be a side effect."

• Gum...
• March 31, 2013

For COPD, Maintenance "I've been on Spiriva for 6 months now with only dry mouth as an issue, so I keep hard candy around to suck on. I was at the point where I could not walk up a few steps without losing my breath, but now I can breathe again!"

• Ste...
• January 4, 2014

For COPD, Maintenance "I started using Spiriva a month ago. The breathing was easier, but after one month of taking it every morning, I started having chest pains starting about 10 minutes after the treatment and lasting for an hour or so. Then I began having crushing tightness in my chest. I have completely quit the Spiriva."

• Anonymous
• July 30, 2011

For COPD, Maintenance "I started taking Spiriva almost 3 weeks ago but have been advised to stop taking it as of today. I've had awful side effects that have built up: dry mouth, sinus problems, blood in my mucus when I blow my nose, blurred vision, dizziness, palpitations. I do know of people it has helped but does anybody else have the same problems as me?"

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2013

For COPD, Maintenance "I'm 48 and have the capacity of an 81-year-old woman due to years of smoking. I have smoked very few cigarettes since last week when I found out how bad my lungs are, and thanks to hardly smoking and the Spiriva, I am doing MUCH better! The only side effect is a REALLY itchy nose, dry sinuses, and a stuffy (really stuffy) nose... but it's much better to be able to take a deep breath and function again! Side effects are nothing compared to gasping for air! Love Spiriva!"

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2011

For COPD, Maintenance "My husband started using Spiriva last Wednesday. He was breathing easier, but by Sunday, then he began experiencing crushing tightness in his chest, difficulty breathing, pulse rates of 111, high blood pressure, and chest pain. We took him to the ER because we thought he was having a heart attack. It turned out to be a severe allergic reaction to Spiriva. He won't be using it anymore. He also had dry mouth and difficulty urinating, which are also side effects."

• Anonymous
• October 12, 2011

For COPD, Maintenance "I have only been using Spiriva for two months and find it more convenient than other medicines, but I wonder why every time I purchase a new prescription, it includes a new hand-held device, adding to the expense."

• 64...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2015

For COPD, Maintenance "Was prescribed Spiriva when ill with bronchitis (never prescribed a maintenance inhaler although I have emphysema for 2 years - only used rescue inhaler). After 45 days of use, experienced moderate to extreme coughing that did not produce mucus, dry mouth, cloudy urine, wheezing as though lungs were filled with cotton, heartburn, flushing, chills, shortness of breath. Still had to use rescue inhaler 3-4 times per day. Stopped use, all symptoms ceased. Will ask pulmonologist for another brand. Everyone's tolerance is different."

• tnl...
• February 5, 2012

For COPD, Maintenance "Spiriva has been a miracle for me. Yes, there is some hoarseness, sinus issues, and difficulty urinating, but for me, the benefits far outweigh the side effects. The inhalers did nothing for my COPD - Spiriva made a HUGE difference in my ability to take in air. My illness is more emphysema type of COPD. I love it - 2 days without it and I can tell a huge difference. With Spiriva I can breathe again."

• sig...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 9, 2012

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been prescribed Spiriva for almost 7 years and have found a marked improvement in my breathing and ability to carry on a normal active day. I have not experienced any adverse side effects, the only effects have been totally positive. I don't think I can give it up now. As far as cost goes, my HMO covers it. I think it's a great medicine. Thank you to the inventor."

• Jen...
• March 5, 2013

For COPD, Maintenance "Spiriva works well for me. I have early-stage emphysema. No more breathlessness. I take it first thing in the morning. Rarely use my Ventolin inhaler now, and other than an itchy nose, no side effects. I am a pensioner, and the government pays almost all of the cost."

• vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2020

For COPD, Maintenance "I took Spiriva for one month. I stopped taking it when I realized I was severely agitated at everything, my heart would not stop racing, I had insomnia, and I was developing urinary retention. I have been off this drug now for 2 and 1/2 weeks. I was hospitalized for 3 days for the racing heart and chest pain. I'm still having problems with urinary retention. I am truly scared that this drug has done permanent damage to my heart that hasn't been found yet. I was referred yesterday to a cardiologist, but I will have to wait almost 4 weeks for the appointment. I have only slept two nights in the last 3 weeks. I have never had such a horrible reaction to any medication ever. I am wondering if anyone else has had these types of symptoms? I spoke to a pharmacist at the FDA who told me it takes an entire month for this medicine to clear your system."

• Riv...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 29, 2017

For COPD, Maintenance "I've recently stopped using Spiriva because I was worried about the side effects. The final deciding factor was my optometrist telling me that I had high eye pressure (possibly a precursor to glaucoma). I have also had red eyes ever since being on it. Other symptoms since being on it are trouble urinating with force (not able to pee fast when in a hurry), chest pains daily, muscle pains in front lower legs, constipation, and losing my voice or hoarseness. I value my sight above all else, so I will make do with salbutamol instead. Since quitting it two weeks ago, my eye pressure is now normal again, my eyes are not red, the chest pains are gone, the hoarseness is gone, and I am gradually getting my bladder muscle control back."

• Qui...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2015

For COPD, Maintenance "Almost drowned sitting up. Diagnosed with COPD. Leg cramps and back pain. Taking Spiriva and Symbicort. Will try potassium pills to see if tired legs go away. Been taking Spiriva since last October 28. I'm breathing ok. Not normal but ok. Haven't used rescue inhaler yet. I give myself oxygen therapy at night and a few blasts in the am. Breathing in through nose and out with pursed lips to help. If you care about someone who smokes, tell them how bad it is. It really sucks. It beats you up."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2012

For COPD, Maintenance "Let me say that upon using Spiriva for the first time, I noticed that I no longer have severe breathlessness (which developed from pneumonia in July 2012 from surgery complications). Let me also say, importantly, if anyone has bronchitis in the lungs, please do whatever is necessary to clear it up. If anyone smokes, quit! Don't wait like I did to have a dangerous bronchial attack. In my case, I was at the E.R. to get a nebulizer treatment when it hit. I was told that had I been away from the hospital, I wouldn't have survived. Since that night on 10/19/2011, I haven't touched one cigarette, not even one drag. I also concur that I'm not having to use my albuterol like I was."

• tty...
• October 3, 2011

For COPD, Maintenance "I have taken this medicine on and off for 2 years and the side effects outweigh the benefits. Terrible night cramps, dry mouth, coldness down to the bone all the time which goes away when I stop taking it. I can breathe better with it but it is not worth the other side effects. I have had bronchitis and asthma since I was 8 years old, and I am now 70."

• MAa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2020

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have been using Spiriva for a short time, and I now have a constant cough, headaches, and a burning throat. I have now read the list of side effects, and it seems, for me, that it is going to cause more problems, short and possibly long term. I find it concerning. I will discuss with my doctor to come off it. I don’t feel confident on it. Buteyko breathing technique and exercises saved my life 28 years ago, and I was off all my drugs, including the nebulizer, which I used many times a day. I will go back to that, I think. Very concerned about the side effects I have experienced so far."

• Sue...
• May 15, 2018

For COPD, Maintenance "I was using Spiriva capsules for almost 10 years with no problem. Recently, my insurance company stopped covering it and switched to the Respimat. The first two nights, I was kept awake with restless legs. In just 5 days, I'm dealing with urine retention, sinus issues, a hoarse voice, and constipation. It may work well for some, but not for me. I wish they would leave well enough alone. I don't believe these changes are to benefit the patients; only the insurance companies and Big Pharma. Otherwise, they would not force people to switch to a new medication when the one they are on is working just fine. I'm so sick and tired of being an experiment for the drug companies, who probably give the insurance company a deal. I was told that it was easier to use. Ease of use is meaningless to me if the side effects make me feel worse than the condition they are supposed to treat. We are all different, and it may work fine for others. I think it is too strong for me."

• Des...
• July 17, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "Having read the comments on this forum, I can't believe how many similarities there are with the symptoms I am experiencing. Hoarseness and phlegm are the most annoying, closely followed by crackling in my ears, nasal congestion, and cramps. I have very recently taken myself off Spiriva to see whether my condition changes. I can't say Spiriva has been very beneficial on top of my mainstay medication, Seretide and Uniphyllin. It seemed to help initially, but I now think that was more to do with psychological factors. I recently went to see a throat specialist about the hoarseness/cough/phlegm issues, only to be advised that my medication was not a cause but that I was experiencing reflux, something I have never experienced before I started taking the medication. There was no acknowledgment from the medic that Spiriva has all of these side effects, as well as sinusitis and cramps."

• BG ...
• December 15, 2016

For COPD, Maintenance "Not so much of a comment about the effectiveness of Spiriva, but more about the company's 'QUALITY CONTROL' which sucks! I've had an ongoing discussion with Boehringer Ingelheim, the company that makes Spiriva, for the last year after receiving 'blank capsules' in their packages. At a cost of over $12.00 (in my case) per capsule, this is unacceptable. I honestly expected that this was an isolated incident at first and reported it to the company (and pharmacy) immediately, and again, and again, and again! At first they stated it was an 'isolated incident', then it was an 'equipment malfunction'. Seems like they have an endless supply of excuses, rather than fixing the problem!"

• dia...
• March 28, 2008

For COPD, Maintenance "I have been using Spiriva for about 2 months. I find my breathing has greatly improved. I'm not using my albuterol several times a day anymore, maybe a couple of times a week. The only thing I have noticed is that I am getting severe muscle cramps in the front of my lower legs. This happens mostly at night when I go to bed. Has anyone else noticed this problem?"

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2016

For COPD, Maintenance "I was prescribed Spiriva Respimat just three weeks ago, and the results have been amazingly effective. I was a smoker from the age of 12 until the age of 71, and I was finally able to quit 11 years ago. I have been suffering the effects of COPD for at least the last 3 or 4 years (maybe longer), but the condition has gone undiagnosed until very recently. I was unable to walk to my mailbox or take a shower without becoming extremely exhausted. I was constantly coughing up large amounts of phlegm, both day and night, making getting a good night's sleep difficult, if not impossible. I have not woken up once in the past two weeks to cough up phlegm, although I still cough up small amounts of phlegm during the day. I have not suffered any allergies."

• wol...
• May 29, 2010

For COPD, Maintenance "Spiriva caused my breathing to worsen. I experienced the dry mouth symptom. Spiriva did NOT break up mucus. I noticed NO relief. After about a week of use, I was forced to stop its use and resort to my rescue inhaler (Primatene). God bless those whom this medication helps, but it is not for me. It seems I have had a paradoxical effect."

• PMi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2019

For COPD, Maintenance "Spiriva didn't help. Way too expensive. No such thing as 'COPD maintenance.' Bronchodilators intended for cases of acute respiratory distress only. I suspect 'placebo effect.' $425 every month! Big Pharma wins again."