Side Effects of Spiriva
Side effects are generally accompanied while administering any medications. In case the side effects are severe in nature they must be immediately reported to the doctor. Some of the common side effects associated with Tiotropium include:
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Back,arm or jaw pain
- Feeling of heaviness or tightness in chest
- Pain in chest or discomfort
- Shortness of breath, sweating
The following side effects are rarely experienced by the patients taking Spiriva:
- Hives
- Dizziness
- Cough
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Rashes in skin
- Swelling or puffiness on eyelids or around the face, eyes or lips
- Weakness and tiredness
Severe Side Effects
Spiriva may cause some very serious side effects, although these are quite uncommon. Patients experiencing any of the given severe side effects must immediately consult the doctor
- Fainting
- Irregular pulse or heartbeat
- Palpitations
- Swelling on hands and feet
- Swelling of sense organs
Most of the side effects associated with Spiriva do not require any medical attention and usually disappear after the patients gets adjusted to the drug. Taking Tiotropium under the guidance of health-care practitioner also helps in reducing the side effects.
Drugs Interactions
Patients prescribed with Spiriva must inform their doctor about all the medicines, including prescription, non-prescription, vitamins and herbal supplements taken by them
The following drugs should be avoided while taking Spiriva
- Aclidinium
- Glycopyrronium
- Ipratropium
- Oxitropium
Please note: Anticholinergic medicines prescribed for the COPD treatment should be especially avoided while taking Tiotropium.
Warnings and Instructions
Patients prescribed with Spiriva must keep the following warnings in mind while using the drug:
- A Spiriva capsule is indicated to be used with only a HandiHaler device and hence one should never take the capsule via mouth.
- Only one capsule can be administered at a time.
- One must take the Spiriva dosage exactly as prescribed by the doctor and must never increase or decrease the dosage on their own.
- Patients having narrow-angle glaucoma or an enlarged prostate or bladder obstruction must inform their doctor before starting Tiotropium.
- Spiriva should not be used to treat bronchospasm attack that has already begun.
- Patients must not use Spiriva if they are allergic to tiotropium or ipratropium.
