If you've made an appointment with your doctor, that's great. You should be proud that you've taken that step. If you haven't set up a doctor visit, why not do it today? It's important to have regularly scheduled checkups so your doctor can keep track of your health.

To help you make the most of your visit, download the Doctor-Patient Discussion Guide here or at the bottom of this page, and bring it to your next appointment. Be sure to tell your doctor how you're feeling, your smoking history, and what symptoms you're having. This will help your doctor make the right diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment for you.

Some suggestions to help prepare for your next doctor's visit:

• Think about how your breathing problems have changed since your last visit (such as shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and chest colds).
• Talk about your daily activities and whether you've cut back.
• Bring a list of questions. To keep your visit/discussion focused, limit that list to 3-5 questions, focusing on the issues most important to you.
• Don't avoid embarrassing questions. Your doctor has most likely heard them before.
• If you don't understand something, ask your doctor to explain.
• Be honest about how you're feeling, your lifestyle choices, and how often you take your medicine. Your doctor needs to know this to assess your health.
• Bring copies of information you've gathered online to discuss with your doctor.

In particular, tell your doctor about:

• Any history of smoking — even if you've already quit
• Allergies to medicines
• Other medicines you are taking
• Other medical problems
• If you are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or breast-feeding

When you share this detailed information about how you feel, your doctor will be better able to help you take control of your COPD.

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IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION

Talk to your doctor to see if Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) is right for you.

SPIRIVA HandiHaler is a once-daily inhaled maintenance prescription treatment for breathing problems (airway narrowing) associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD includes both chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

SPIRIVA does not replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms.

Do not swallow the SPIRIVA capsule. Only use the HandiHaler device to take the SPIRIVA capsule. Do not use the HandiHaler to take any other medications.

Do not get SPIRIVA powder in your eyes.

The most common side effect with SPIRIVA is dry mouth. Others include constipation and problems passing urine. For a complete list of reported side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor about your medicines, including eye drops, and illnesses like glaucoma and urinary or prostate problems. These may worsen with SPIRIVA.

If you have vision changes, eye pain, your breathing suddenly worsens, you get hives, or your throat or tongue swells, stop taking SPIRIVA and contact your doctor.

Do not use SPIRIVA if you are allergic to atropine, ipratropium, tiotropium bromide, or lactose. A lactose allergy is not the same as lactose intolerance.

Read the step-by-step Patient's Instructions for Use for SPIRIVA before you take your medicine.

The information provided on this site is for general information and educational purposes only. You should always consult a doctor for diagnosing and treating a health or fitness problem, and before using any drug product discussed on this site.

Click here for Full Prescribing Information and Patient's Instructions for Use.

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This information is for U.S. residents only. Products discussed herein may have different labeling in different countries.