Question 1

please describe the medication: spiriva handihaler (tiotropium bromide)?

Accepted Answer

An inhaled COPD med: That is an anti-cholinergic drug used once daily in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Question 2

how often should i be using spiriva if i feel better?

Accepted Answer

As prescribed: Spiriva is the reason you feel better. You have copd, which is not curable. Keep using it as prescribed until your doctor changes the prescription.

Question 3

can i use advair and spiriva together?

Accepted Answer

Yes: These medicines are often helpful if used together in the treatment of poorly-controlled copd.

Question 4

my insurance company removed spiriva from the formulary. is incruse ellipta a good substitute?

Accepted Answer

Probably: Usually we don't change medication when it has worked well on a patient.  Given the circumstance, Incruise would be a reasonable substitute but do realize that they are similar but not identical.

Question 5

is spiriva the best for copd?

Accepted Answer

Effective drug: Spiriva is not necessarily the "best" because it is usual part of the regimen for many patients with copd. Spiriva has been shown to be very good at relieving a feature of COPD called "air trapping". That is patients on spirva can be shown to on average trap less air in the lung on pulmonary function testing. Air trapping correlates with shortness of breath, so this makes spiriva effective.

Question 6

is spiriva a form of steroids?

Accepted Answer

No: Spiriva is in a class of medications termed anti-cholinergics.  These medications when inhaled induce some bronchodilation as well as some "drying" of the airways.  It is indicated for COPD and can help the productive cough and wheeze.

Question 7

are there deaths related to spiriva?

Accepted Answer

Not sure: But any medication can produce potentially lethal allergic reactions.  If one gets hive-like eruptions, difficulty breathing, trouble with heart rate, or other phenomena - get help quickly.

Question 8

what are the alternatives to spiriva?

Accepted Answer

Spiriva: Excellent drug for copd. Consider advair and symbicort (budesonide and formoterol).

Question 9

can spiriva cause this increased coughing?

Accepted Answer

Possibly..: Any inhaled medicine can induce coughing as a side-effect, including spiriva. If the cough only occurs right after using the inhaler and is not bothersome, the inhaler can be continued. However, if the cough is bothersome, the inhaler can be switched to an alternate inhaler until one is found that you tolerate. See your doctor so this can be evaluated and a different inhaler tried, if necessary.

Question 10

not losing any weight. can spiriva be the cause?

Accepted Answer

No: Spiriva is not associated with weight gain typically.

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Doctor answers about:

Spiriva handihaler medication

A member asked:

Please describe the medication: spiriva handihaler (tiotropium bromide)?

A member asked:

How often should i be using spiriva if i feel better?

A member asked:

Can i use advair and spiriva together?

A member asked:

My insurance company removed spiriva from the formulary. is incruse ellipta a good substitute?

A member asked:

Is spiriva the best for copd?

A member asked:

Is spiriva a form of steroids?

A member asked:

Are there deaths related to spiriva?

A member asked:

What are the alternatives to spiriva?

A member asked:

Can spiriva cause this increased coughing?

A member asked:

Not losing any weight. can spiriva be the cause?

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