If your doctor prescribed SPIRIVA HandiHaler, we want you to get the best possible results. Review this section for tips to help you get the most out of taking SPIRIVA. It's also a good idea to print this section. That way, you can refer to these helpful tips whenever you need to.

Before you start taking SPIRIVA with the HandiHaler, read the Patient's Instructions for Use. Also, read the leaflet that comes with your prescription every time you refill it because there may be new information.

WATCH and READ about tips for success below:

Please see Important Product Information below.

SPIRIVA HandiHaler is a maintenance medicine. That means it should be taken every day to help you breathe better. It's taken for airway narrowing associated with COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both.

Tips:

• You may find it easier to remember to take SPIRIVA if you take it at the same time every day
• Choose a time when you do another daily activity. For example, take it every morning when you wake up

Taking SPIRIVA with the HandiHaler
To make sure you receive all the benefits of treatment with SPIRIVA, please follow these tips.

Tips:

• Before removing a capsule from the blister, separate one of the blisters from the blister card by tearing along the perforation. Then peel back the aluminum foil where indicated by the arrow. DO NOT CUT THE FOIL OR USE SHARP INSTRUMENTS TO REMOVE THE CAPSULE FROM THE BLISTER, AND DO NOT PUSH THE CAPSULE OUT OF THE BLISTER THROUGH THE ALUMINUM FOIL

Opening a blister

• Always use a capsule right after removing it from the blister. If additional capsules are exposed to the air they should be discarded
• After inserting the capsule in the HandiHaler, close the mouthpiece, making sure it locks completely with a click, and that the mouthpiece sits firmly against the gray base
• Press the green piercing button until it is flush against the base, and release. DO NOT PRESS THE GREEN PIERCING BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE TO PUNCTURE THE CAPSULE
• Do not breathe (exhale) into the HandiHaler mouthpiece at any time
• When inhaling SPIRIVA, hold the HandiHaler by the gray base. Do not block the air intake vents

Holding the HandiHaler

• If the capsule doesn't vibrate when you inhale SPIRIVA, try tapping the base of the HandiHaler gently on a table, holding it in an upright position. If you do not hear or feel the capsule vibrate, please consult your physician
• To ensure you get the full dose of SPIRIVA, you must breathe out completely and inhale once again 

When you refill your SPIRIVA prescription, you'll get SPIRIVA capsules and a new HandiHaler. Simply follow the tips below to care for your SPIRIVA kit between refills.

Tips:

• Keep SPIRIVA capsules and the HandiHaler in a clean, dry place
• Store them at room temperature
• Do not store used or unused SPIRIVA capsules in the HandiHaler
• Clean the HandiHaler once a month by following the step-by-step directions in the Patient’s Instructions for Use

See the step-by-step directions for taking SPIRIVA on the "Taking SPIRIVA" page of this Web site or, for more detail, see the Patient's Instructions for Use.

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.