Side Effects of Spiriva

Some of the common side effects of Spiriva can be learnt as under.

Common Side Effects

• Nausea
• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• Painfulness in chest or discomfort in chest
• Heaviness in chest, fast or irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath, sweating
• Cough, congestion, cloudy urine
• Dryness in throat and mouth
• Headache, heartburn, indigestion

Severe side effects of Drugs may include:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Bloody nose, blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching
• Numbness, prickling or tingling feelings
• Canker sores, difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• Flushed, dry skin, fruit-like breath odor
• Increased hunger, thirst and urination

Drug interactions with Tiotropium

Before administering Spiriva, patients must inform the doctor if they are allergic to any specific chemical or medication. Spiriva can interact with other medications and can cause various health complications. Spiriva may interact with Anticholinergic medicines like glycopyrronium, aclidinium, ipratropium, oxitropium, aclidinium. Hence, Spiriva is not recommended to be taken while administering other drugs without consulting the doctor.

Warnings and instructions

Patients must keep the warning instructions in mind in order to safely use the drug. Some of the warnings associated with Tiotropium include:

• Spiriva is indicated as a regular maintenance treatment for COPD and is not recommended for the initial treatment of acute bronchospasm.
• The Spiriva capsule should never be swallowed. The contents of the capsule should be inhaled using the HandiHaler device.
• This drug is not recommended to treat bronchospasm attacks that have already started.
• Patients allergic to tiotropium or ipratropium must avoid using this drug.

One should cautiously use Spiriva if suffering from:

• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Kidney disease
• Enlarged prostate or urination problems
• If you are allergic to milk proteins