SIDE-EFFECTS
While this medicine helps most people with COPD, it can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious but most of the time they are not. Be advised, that most people do not generally suffer from side-effects. Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any of them but if you do, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any of the following although, these are mild side effects of the medicine, and are usually short-lived.
- dry mouth: this is usually mild;
- sore mouth, gums, or throat; swollen, red, sore tongue;
- oral thrush;
- hoarse voice;
- nose bleeds;
- cough;
- dizziness;
- constipation;
- trouble sleeping;
- sinusitis, a feeling of tension or fullness in the nose, cheeks and behind your eyes, sometimes with a throbbing ache, fever, stuffy nose and loss of the sense of smell.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following list which includes serious side effects that may require medical attention.
- blurred vision;
- seeing halos around lights or coloured images in association with red eyes; high pressure in the eye (glaucoma);
- difficulty in swallowing;
- heartburn;
- difficulty in passing urine;
- pain while passing urine, urinary tract infection, increased need and frequency in passing urine;
- a worsening of breathing problems (induced by the inhalation process). Inhaled medicines such as Spiriva may cause tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after inhalation.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Emergency at your nearest hospital as the following list includes very serious side-effects and you might need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation:
- severe pain in the stomach with bloating, gut cramps and vomiting;
- changes in heart rate (fast, slow or irregular), palpitations;
- allergic reaction (shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, rash, itching or hives on the skin).
SAFETY
Do not take Spiriva if you are allergic to it or if you have an allergy to:
- any medicine containing tiotropium bromide;
- any medicine containing atropine or its derivatives, e.g. ipratropium or oxitropium;
- any other anticholinergic medicines.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- shortness of breath;
- wheezing or difficulty breathing;
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body;
- rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Tell your doctor if you have, or have had, any of the following medical conditions:
- high pressure in the eye (glaucoma);
- kidney or liver problems;
- problems with your prostate gland (males);
- problems with passing urine;
- you have suffered from a heart attack during the last 6 months or from any unstable or life threatening irregular heart beat or severe heart failure within the past year.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved. Spiriva is not generally recommended for use in pregnant women.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking Spiriva.
Do not allow the powder to enter the eyes. Should this occur, immediately flush your eyes with cold tap water for several minutes and immediately consult your doctor for further advice.
If the powder enters the eye, it may result in eye pain or discomfort, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights or coloured images in association with red eyes (i.e. narrow angle glaucoma).
If you are a smoker, your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on the steps to take to quit smoking.