Tiotropium for COPD, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 3)

• Kitty
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2018

Spiriva (tiotropium) "Been on spiriva 1 1\2 years & first day saw fantastic results in breathing. I am 68. Thought retirement was going to be better. But last 6 months, blood pressure has risen so I have to start taking meds for that. I also feel like spiriva is not working as well. I am also on advair twice a day and abuterol as needed. I might try to go without spiriva for a couple of days. I, too, had empty capsules or so I thought. Called company and they said to put large end of capsule in inhaler first and gently tap bottom of inhaler on sink or cabinet then press button to make holes and keep inhaler level and suck in not real fast. He was very helpful and caring. He said there is very little medicine in capsule. He had me return the rest of the box on their dime and sent me a new box (at pharmacy). I haven't had any trouble since. My prayers to all."

• black...
• April 21, 2008

Spiriva (tiotropium) "I have been using Spiriva for 1 year now and I have been breathing far better and not having as many attacks as before I began using Spiriva. I find the product very easy to use and also more effective than most other drugs I used before. I have never had a problem with bits of capsule in my mouth or anything."

• Hater...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 27, 2019

Spiriva (tiotropium) "I was put on Spiriva over 4 yrs. ago. I noticed a change in my urine output pretty quickly but the worst of it came out this week after being given Baclofen as well. The 2 together have had me dealing with sore throat and swollen glands. Difficulty swallowing, headache, blurred vision, dizziness, UTI, dry mouth, weird taste and smells, tremors and insomnia."

• adnoira
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2017

Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium) "I was recently given this inhaler to try, by my doctor. I smoked for 47 years. 4 years ago I quit and I used to exercise a lot, was a dancer on weekends and free time, maybe my COPD did not get as bad because of it, oxygenation is greater when you do cardiovascular exercise. I am also an asthma patient since I was a kid. I developed Polymyalgia Rheumatica, a very painful illness that can only be treated with prednisone. I got so fat I had to quit dancing. I noticed I was getting very tired and short of breath every time I had to walk long distances or climb stairs. 2 months I used this medicine. I was so happy I could finally breath while climbing stairs and doing cardio. Only problem is, it too expensive and medical insurance not covers."

• Wayne
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2016

Spiriva (tiotropium) "This is my second day with this drug and I can already see improvement in the quality of my life. First thing every morning out of bed, I had to go to the nebulizer in order to breathe after removing CPAP mask. Today I didn't have to use it at all. I haven't noticed any side effects and don't expect any."

• Seren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2016

Spiriva (tiotropium) "I was prescribed this because of asthma, and I have difficulty taking other inhalers because of side effects. I noticed within a few minutes, that my throat started to burn after using this med. IT seems to irritate my throat. I also have chest pain in my left breast, and difficulty sleeping. Because of these side effects, I am going to stop using it. I am beginning to suspect inhalers aren't going to work for me."

• keyol
• December 19, 2017

Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium) "I used spiriva respimat for four weeks and after two weeks my voice started to go hoarse. I stopped after 4 weeks and it is now 5 weeks that I have had no voice and can barely whisper. I initially benefitted from usage but it made very little difference. I am desperate to know if I will ever get my voice back. My doctor is arranging for me to see an ENT specialist."

• Sheez
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2019

Spiriva (tiotropium) "Doctor prescribed Spiriva for COPD. After 4 days I had to quit it because of the horrible rash that was breaking out all over my body. I never took it again and that was 5 years ago. I still break out in a rash from it once in a while. That stuff is horrible. Try anything else but that."

• Lpit
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2017

Spiriva (tiotropium) "Took this for about 4 years and had throat swelling, feeling like something wrapped around my neck, swallowing issues and hoarseness. Blamed it on an operation to remove a cyst in my neck but the symptoms were not from that procedure according to my ENT. I stopped using it for two years and as my COPD worsened my doc put me back on it. Bang those symptoms came right back. I am now on Tudorza and doing better without those side effects."

• KMano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

Spiriva (tiotropium) "I started taking Spiriva a month ago for chronic asthma. My doctor said I wouldn't notice much of a difference until about the third week. I actually felt like I was feeling better right away, a little bit better more and more every day. However, this week, my fourth week, I'm feeling worse. I don't have seasonal allergies, I don't have a cold, I'm just short of breath and coughing a lot. I'm not sure if it's the Spiriva or not, and I'm wondering if anyone else had a similar experience. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow to get an appointment."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2021

Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium) "Since my insurance would not cover my Anoro, my doctor put me on this Respimat covered by my insurance. This was the worse contraption I had ever seen in an inhaler -- imossible to use. My son had to put it together as I couldn't figure it out, and it took him a couple of minutes to do it! I have not been able to use it because I am wasting the medication! I am 73 and still have my wits about me but not able to use this inhaler! I feel very sorry for those seniors who have mental problems trying to use this inhaler! I don't know who invented something like this, but they need t go back to the drawing board! I am now without an inhaler!"

• Mommy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2020

Spiriva (tiotropium) "Was given along side my regular Symbicort too. Felt great breathing two days that I used it, but then had a thud in my chest. I have long QT syndrome. I can't use Sprivia now...its an anticholinergic. I also peed more frequently and it gave me a cold/ flu symptoms for the two days I took it. I thought I had Covid. I will have to find another maintenance inhaler."

• Cinde...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2016

Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium) "My problem is not with the medicine, but rather the inhaler itself. The Spiriva Respimat. Hate it with a passion! I've had to make three separate trips to the pharmacy to get a replacement. After the first time I was so careful to use it both, properly and carefully. Did it help? NO! And it is a waste of time, money and I'm unable to use the thing until I go to the pharmacist and get a replacement! Apparently, Kaiser insurance doesn't want to pay for any other Spiriva inhaler. I am currently trying to find where I can leave a formal complaint."

• Promo
• December 7, 2016

Spiriva (tiotropium) "I have been using Spiriva since 2009. It was okay for the first 4 years. Lung function improved, but not great. My bladder is suffering terribly, so I gave up Spiriva last week. The bladder side effects are worse to me than the lung function. Have suffered several bouts of UTI's while being on Spiriva as well. Also, sometimes the capsules are empty. I reported this to the FDA twice, with no results. Spiriva is expensive, so to have 1-5 capsules per box empty, is very costly. Now, a week Spiriva free, my bladder function has improved, but my breathing is becoming more labored. I will try my albuterol inhaler, but will use it sparingly as well because it causes bladder problems too."

• Lou
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 25, 2019

Spiriva (tiotropium) "I have been using the Handihaler since 2008 for my pulmonary fibrosis. I believe the benefit outweighs the side effects per my experience. The only negative thing I can say is the cost of this medicine. In addition to taking this medicine I make myself active by doing cardiovascular exercises to get my heart and lungs working either by walking outdoors or working out in the gym or at home. My Pulmonalogist review my annual breathing tests and chest stays and he always tell me that my condition stays the same and encourage me to keep doing what I am doing. PF does not have a cure and the average life expectancy is 5 years. I will stick with Spiriva and continue my workouts."

• SaraM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2017

Spiriva (tiotropium) "I had a parathyroid removed the end of May. One of the complications I was having was shortness of breath. A month after surgery a pulmonologist followed up with tests and said I have beginning COPD. She recommended Spiriva. The first two weeks I started feeling better. Then I started feeling tired all the time, my eyes seemed puffy, my weight was going up, peeing frequently with urgency, dry mouth, cuts healed slow, developed heartburn, my joints all felt achy, sleep was poor, and I was retaining fluid and needing lasix at least twice a week, and having tearful moodiness. Labs showed high glucose. I have never been a diabetic. Now regular testing the last 4 days show I am prediabetic. Apparently 1 in 10,000 can become prediabetic "

• angel...
• August 7, 2016

Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium) "I have been using spiriva respimat for several months now for Copd. why is it important not to cover the vents on mouth piece which i have been doing ever since i been using it . my doctor never told me not to i just read about it recently. i really dont think that i have been benefiting from the inhaler that much. could this be the reason? i am not covering the vents any longer the information i read says not to but why . maybe people are using the same as i did hopefully this will help several people. thank you"

• marr
• November 3, 2016

Spiriva (tiotropium) "While using this med. I opened the top turned it sprayed while inhaling and it would not stop spraying almost choking me and taking my breath away I dropped it on the table and it continued spraying for about a minute. I called the company and after being transferred and 15 mins. later they were of no help whatsoever. I told the last girl I spoke their product sucks, it is obvious these people don't care what happens to anyone using their product. I will also be contacting FDA."

• P O ED
• May 30, 2016

Spiriva (tiotropium) "threw new applicator away by mistake you will not send me a new one I had to wait 30 days before my insurance would let me get a new one so I'm out my money all I have is the cartridge with no way to use it I THINK YOUR ENGINEERS SUCK WHE FLO VENT IS SO SIMPLETO USE WH"

• Nanner
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2017

Spiriva (tiotropium) "Spiriva and advair HFA have been very beneficial to myself was not expecting this wonderful feeling of not using rescue inhaler so much, it's a true blessing cleaning my house, doing my treadmill, I'm a very ,very active person, am enjoying this, but keeping my excercising daily thank you spiriva!!"

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2021

Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium) "Important! Please keep watchful eye on the side of the Respimat container. When the orange area with arrow shows at end please do not try to continue using the container vs opening a new one. Why? Because I tried seeing how many dosages more I could get and on one attempt the second I pressed the grey button the container bruised my lip and on next attempt the container shot a piece of metal out along with mist so I discarded the container & opened new box .. This issue needs to be fixed as I'm lucky I kept the container away from mouth second try or that metal shooting out would have hit my throat causing possible injury."

• VEW
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 9, 2022

Spiriva Respimat (tiotropium) "I find it helps my breathing but it often runs out a day or 2 early. My pharmacy sets it up and wastes the 4 doses as instructed. Why waste 4 doses when there aren’t 30 days supply left? This makes no sense and leaves me without medication at the end of the 30 days which is not helpful. I cannot accurately rate side effects since I am on other medications that have similar reactions."

• Breat...
• November 11, 2019

Spiriva (tiotropium) "I've been on Spiriva for at least 8 years. I went from lung spasms from armpit to armpit to relief. Of course the empty capsules were a big problem and the respimat solved that problem with a hefty price increase. I thought I couldn't live without it but once on Medicare I had to quit buying it due to the high price. I also had noticed that I had to urinate infrequently and could go long stretches without. Plus I was on high blood pressure meds with diuretics so I became aware, as lovely as having great bladder control seems, that possibly this was a problem. So I quit taking it a month ago & yes things have changed. I must urinate much more frequently and urgently, & I am hoping this is temporary & hope it subsides. But it was proven to me that Spiriva interfered with my bladder signals & I'm hoping there won't be problems later from that. Did go blind also and had cataract surgery; caused and quickened by high blood pressure but don't know how much was effected by inhaler."

• Mama...
• July 12, 2017

Spiriva (tiotropium) "My sleep doctor prescribed this med following a series of breathing tests that showed I had some narrowing of my brochunial tubes. I do have sleep apnea but not COPD. An autoimmune disorder manifests in my muscles, legs and feet makes balance and walking difficult, causing shortness of breath. That is the reason for the prescription. I noticed unreasonable increasing irritability within a few days of taking the inhaler. I have a bad reaction to Prednisone historically, experiencing psychotic fugue with disastrous consequences. My doctor assured me that Spiriva was nothing like Predisone. It most certainly is-at least for me! Side effects found online are: depression, irritability, feelings of emptiness, etc. Exactly my experience with Spiriva."

• zszszs
• May 24, 2016

Spiriva (tiotropium) "just diagnosed with COPD a few weeks ago. My GP put me on Spiriva Respimat Inhaler. In a few days I broke out with skin rash on my back, chest, upper arms.lower legs, etc. Immediately discontinued the Spiriva and was put on a different drug. No complications from the new drugs in the past 2 or 3 weeks so far."