What to expect with SPIRIVA

Once-daily SPIRIVA is a maintenance medicine, so you won't feel an immediate effect when taking it. SPIRIVA works over time, so the effects are long-lasting. Remember, COPD is a chronic illness. That means you have it every day. So you need to treat it every day.

How long does it take to breathe better?

The time it takes to breathe better is different for everyone. SPIRIVA starts working with the first dose. But it may take several weeks to feel its full benefits. The people around you may notice a difference before you do.

It's important to keep taking SPIRIVA every day as directed by your doctor. Even on days when you're breathing better, so you can keep breathing better.

Will I still need a rescue inhaler?

Yes. You will still need your rescue inhaler if your symptoms suddenly get worse. SPIRIVA is not a rescue medicine used for treating sudden breathing problems. SPIRIVA is a maintenance medicine that is taken once a day, every day, to help control your COPD. Ask your doctor about the differences. And how they work together. In clinical studies, patients taking SPIRIVA used less rescue medicine.

What are the drug interactions and side effects?

SPIRIVA has been studied with many other drugs commonly used for COPD. These include certain short-acting "rescue" inhalers, long- and short-acting beta agonists, theophylline, and oral and inhaled steroids. SPIRIVA has not been studied with either ATROVENT® Inhalation Aerosol or COMBIVENT® Inhalation Aerosol. Therefore, it is not recommended to use SPIRIVA with these medications.

The most commonly reported side effect was dry mouth. Others include constipation and problems passing urine.

CLICK HERE for Full Prescribing Information and Patient's Instructions for Use.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. either owns or uses under license the SPIRIVA HandiHaler, ATROVENT, and COMBIVENT trademarks.

IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION for ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol

ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol is indicated as a bronchodilator for maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, but is not indicated for initial treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm where rescue therapy is required for rapid response.

The most common drug-related adverse events were dry mouth (1.6% of ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol patients and 0.9% of Atrovent® [ipratropium bromide] Inhalation Aerosol [CFC] patients), and taste perversion (bitter taste) (0.9% of ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol patients and 0.3% of ATROVENT Inhalation Aerosol [CFC] patients).

Please see full Prescribing Information for ATROVENT HFA Inhalation Aerosol.

IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION for COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol

COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol is indicated for use in patients with COPD on a regular aerosol bronchodilator who continue to have evidence of bronchospasm and who require a second bronchodilator.

COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to soya lecithin or related food products such as soybeans and peanuts. COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol is also contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to any other components of the drug product or to atropine or its derivatives.

Please see full Prescribing Information for COMBIVENT Inhalation Aerosol.

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