Spiriva for COPD, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 3)

• Lpi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 16, 2017

"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."

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

"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."

• Way...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2016

"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 my CPAP mask. Today, I didn't have to use it at all. I haven't noticed any side effects and don't expect any."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2020

"Was given alongside 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 Spiriva now... it's an anticholinergic. I also peed more frequently, and it gave me cold/flu symptoms for the two days I took it. I thought I had COVID. I will have to find another maintenance inhaler."

• KMa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

"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."

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

"I have been using the Handihaler since 2008 for my pulmonary fibrosis. I believe the benefits outweigh 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 pulmonologist reviews my annual breathing tests and chest scans, and he always tells me that my condition stays the same and encourages 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."

• Pro...
• December 7, 2016

"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 UTIs 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."

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

"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 shows I am prediabetic. Apparently, 1 in 10,000 can become prediabetic."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2017

"Spiriva and Advair HFA have been very beneficial to myself. Was not expecting this wonderful feeling of not using a 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 exercising daily. Thank you, Spiriva!"

• Bre...
• November 11, 2019

"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, and yes, things have changed. I must urinate much more frequently and urgently, and I am hoping this is temporary and hope it subsides. But it was proven to me that Spiriva interfered with my bladder signals, and I'm hoping there won't be problems later from that. I did go blind also and had cataract surgery; caused and quickened by high blood pressure, but don't know how much was affected by the inhaler."

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2020

"I was short of breath, and tests showed I have 55% lung capacity. Pulmonologist increased Advair and added Spiriva. I have had dry mouth, sore and red tongue (I rinse afterwards always), constipation, worsening of tremors."

• Mam...
• July 12, 2017

"My sleep doctor prescribed this med following a series of breathing tests that showed I had some narrowing of my bronchial 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 prednisone. It most certainly is - at least for me! Side effects found online are: depression, irritability, feelings of emptiness, etc. Exactly my experience with Spiriva."

• zsz...
• May 24, 2016

"Just diagnosed with COPD a few weeks ago. My GP put me on Spiriva Respimat inhaler. In a few days, I broke out with a 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."

• P O...
• May 30, 2016

"Threw new applicator away by mistake. They 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."

• mar...
• November 3, 2016

"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 to their product sucks, it is obvious these people don't care what happens to anyone using their product. I will also be contacting the FDA."

• Gan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2020

"I have been on Spiriva for about 3 years for severe asthma, also Breo. I was on Symbicort with the Spiriva. When I had the capsules, there were empty ones, so I asked my doctor to put me on the Respimat. In the last 3 years, I have been plagued with very thick mucus, to the point I gag. Upper respiratory infections every 3 months, pneumonia twice, and my breathing has gotten worse. My doctor insists this is the right medication for me, and if I would lose weight, I will feel better. I have asked to get the medicine changed, but my pulmonologist insists the medicine is working for me, and my PCP agrees. The price is outrageous, and there is no generic in the U.S., however, there is one in Canada. Being on a fixed income at 69, I am forced to use my charge, and both the Breo and Spiriva are outrageously expensive. My brother has emphysema, and his breathing is better than mine."

• Lan...
• October 21, 2021

"I have taken Spiriva Respimat for a total of thirty days; two weeks and a five-day break and another 2 ½ weeks. It does improve my breathing a little bit, but the side effects are not worth the slight easing of my breathing. I have an extremely dry throat, sometimes can barely talk, my heartbeat went up significantly, my eyesight is all blurry so that I can hardly see to read, heartburn, and generally feeling lousy. I am stopping it no matter what my GP thinks…and she is very bossy. However, I feel generally too rotten to continue…absolutely no energy or motivation to do anything. I give it a 3 ½ out of ten because it does ease my breathing somewhat. I wish that I were one of the ones with no side effects. I have never smoked a single cigarette, so how I came to have COPD is beyond me. My husband didn’t smoke either."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 28, 2021

"Spiriva was a miracle medicine for me. I've been on it for almost 4 years now, but my health has changed. I'm having very bad blurred vision, extreme insomnia, tachycardia. I suffer from mental fogginess, forgetfulness, confusion, dizziness (I am only 44 years old). I also jump with any noise and get scared easily, I also have major anxiety. I suffered from insomnia before, but not like this. I feel as if I always have fluid in my lungs, something in my throat. I have a runny nose constantly (I am fully vaccinated, had minor side effects, but everything always targets my chest). Spiriva has controlled my asthma for a while, but now I'm not so sure, if I didn't take it or forgot to, I would not be able to breathe. I have tried well over 9 asthma medications and had severe side effects to most. Spiriva did help me manage to reduce the use of my albuterol (emergency inhaler). I have stopped cold turkey 4-5 days ago and need to contact my pulmonologist. I am having bad headaches lately too."

• chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2023

"I was prescribed Spiriva by my doctor 8 years ago because he thought my smoking for 10 years caused COPD; however, I discontinued use after a week because I believed I did not have COPD, but now I have severe dry lips, mouth, choke while eating, and cough 24 hours a day. I must use chapstick every day and suck on lemon drops & ice, and drink water every day. However, nothing has helped my severe dry mouth, and it appears I must now live with severe dry mouth for the rest of my life. I do not recommend this product and am desperate for help/relief on this matter!"

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2017

"Took for 2 months plus for COPD. Worked pretty well. Then I noticed ulcers on my arm that at first I thought were gardening boo-boos I had missed. Had leg spasms at night but woke up one morning with a severe sore chest, like a mule kicked me. Got worse and then became a sore back, too. Quit the drug but spent the next night in a chair. Same time had an itchy eye that is now a stye/cold sore on my eyelid. 3 nights without it and still a sore chest, but better. Arm has scabbed, feels like ice water there under skin. Not so horrible side effects but certainly not worth the benefit and cost."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2024

"I took Advair for a long time, but it has steroids in it, and it weakens bones, contributes to weight gain, etc., and I just didn't want to be on steroid meds long-term, even if it's less than the pills ingested. I am a senior and have urgent bladder syndrome, and the upside is it helps with controlling that. I hear people talk about leg cramps, I have no problem with that, which is a low potassium problem that diet or supplements can help with. I have not had any bronchitis or phlegm problems, and if I do, I take Mucinex right away to make it lose and expel it. There is also a breathing exercise I found online that helps expel phlegm. Drink water so you don't dehydrate, and watch diuretic drinks like coffee, beer, etc. This medication you should not drink alcohol with. I'm going on my second month of it. Hope I don't get short-term memory issues with it as I did with a medication to control my urgent bladder problem I had to stop. My breathing is very good right now."

• Buf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2024

"Asthma or COPD. Smoked cigarettes for 30 years. 50 now. Spiriva helps very much with my complaint which was a suffocating feeling and constant wheezing. Side effects are occasional cough and hoarseness. Been taking for 6 months. I previously took Trelegy but the severe cough side effect made me stop. I occasionally use albuterol nebulizer in emergencies."

• lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2022

"Awful, now stuck on this horrible medication until I can see my specialist. Not happy, but cannot stop taking it as it causes my throat to inflame really badly and messes up my blood gases too, so I feel really ill. Wish the doctor had bothered to mention to me that you cannot just stop taking it! It has also given me insomnia and depression, horrible stuff. Defo would not recommend at all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2022

"Spiriva’s HandiHaler delivery system is a complete disgrace. I have had many conversations with the manufacturer, and they are unwilling to own up to the fact that either the HandiHaler is defective or the capsules are duds. SHAME."

• Phy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 11, 2021

"My biggest concern is the fact that in every carton of Spiriva, you can be sure you will have empty capsules or the HandiHaler makes exceedingly big holes in the capsule. I have cited this problem on many occasions."