Spiriva for COPD, Maintenance User Reviews (Page 3)

• Seren...
• 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."

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

"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

"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

"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."

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

"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."

• Promo
• 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 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

"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

"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 "

• marr
• 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 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

"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 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!!"

• Breat...
• 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 & 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

"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

"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."

• Mimi
• 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 been dry mouth, sore and red tongue (I rinse afterwards always), constipation, worsening of tremors.."

• chuck...
• 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!"

• John...
• 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 severe sore chest, like a mule kicked me. Got worse and then became sore back, too. Quit the drug but spent the next night in a chair. Same time had itchy eye that is now stye/cold sore on eyelid. 3 nights without and still 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."

• GanGan
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2020

"I have been on Spiriva for about 3 years for severe asthma also Breo, was on Simbicort with the Spiriva. When I had the capsules, there were empty ones so I asked my dr to put me on the Respimat. In the last 3 years, I have been plagued with very thick mucous, to the point I gag, upper respiratory infections ever 3 months pneumonia 2X, and my breathing has gotten worse. My Dr 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."

• Lana
• 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 extremely dry throat, sometimes can barely talk, my heartbeat went up significantly, my eyesight is all blurring 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 was 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."

• Mary
• 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 44years old ), I also jump with any noise and get scared easily, I also have mayor anxiety. I suffered from insomnia before, but not like this. I feel as I always have fluid in my lungs, something in my throat, I have a running 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 me pulmonologist, I am having bad headaches lately too."

• loufl...
• 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 gasses 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 manufacturer and they are unwilling to own up to the fact that either the handihaler is defective or the capsules are duds. SHAME."

• Linda
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 31, 2020

"I had to quit spiriva after using it 1 1/2 years! I had gotten some kind of sinus infection with heavy coughing, took antibiotics and felt better. But after that the Spiriva did not work for me at all..I had no problems with Spiriva at all before that - it was a miracle drug"

• Stefan
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 1, 2022

"While it has helped my COPD I have had many problems over the years with the handihaler not working properly and ruining capsule Initially we were given one handihaler with 90 day supply and now each 30 day supply has a handihaler but it doesn’t matter - I have been forced to discard many capsules due to malfunction of handihaler and I think this company should be ashamed of themselves. I have tried to resolve this with them and they have been very uncooperative"

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

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