Tiotropium Bromide Monohydrate
Why is it prescribed?
It is used as a long-acting bronchodilator for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and for add-on therapy in the treatment of asthma.
Products that have this ingredient include •Spiriva® Handihaler® •Spiriva® Respimat® •Inspiolto® Respimat® •
See other drugs used in the treatment of •bronchospasm associated with COPD •chronic bronchitis (COPD) •COPD •emphysema (COPD) •
Along with its needed effects, tiotropium may cause some unwanted or undesirable effects. Often, tiotropium users who use their medication properly, never experience any unwanted effects. The severity and duration of these effects are dependant on many factors including duration of therapy, dose, route of administration and individual response. Possible unwanted effects include:
- dry mouth
- chest pain
- sinusitus
- constipation
- stomach pain
Less common:
- allergic reactions
- leg pain
- tingling sensation
- increase blood glucose
- increase cholesterol levels
Rare:
- difficulty urinating
- rapid heart beat
Many of these unwanted effects, especially the most common ones, may disappear with continued use. Check with the doctor or pharmacist if any of them continue or become bothersome.
Tiotropium is a long-acting bronchodilator. It opens up narrowed breathing passages to help relieve symptoms of asthma and COPD.
- Tiotropium is used as a once daily maintenance bronchodilator. It should not be used for acute episodes of bronchospasm. It is not a rescue medication.
- Immediate hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. skin rash, swelling of the lip, tongue and face) may occur after administration of tiotropium.
- Inhaled medicines may cause inhalation-induced bronchospasm.
- Precautions should be taken to prevent getting the drug powder in the eyes. Getting tiotropium in the eye may cause eye pain or discomfort, temporary blurring of vision, visual halos or coloured images and may cause or worsen narrow-angle glaucoma.
- Tiotropium should not be used more frequently than once daily.
- This medication should not be used in people with an allergy to tiotropium or to atropine and its derivatives (e.g. ipratropium), or to lactose.
- Tiotropium should be used with caution in people with narrow angle glaucoma, enlarged prostate, bladder obstruction, kidney disease.
Use in pregnancy: No human data available. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before use.
Use while breastfeeding: No human data available. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before use.