What is this?

Your Tips To Go is the place to gather any interesting or useful information you'd like to save for later. It's free!

Just click the "Add"
buttonhh to place any article or tip in your Tips To Go. You'll even have the option of downloading and printing all the things you've saved as a customized PDF.

Back Print

Helping a Loved One

Request SPIRIVA information >
Add to My Tips to Go

Starting on SPIRIVA

If the diagnosis is COPD, the doctor will likely prescribe your loved one a maintenance medicine. And because breathing with COPD is no small thing, you may want to ask about SPIRIVA — the #1 prescribed COPD maintenance medication.*

SPIRIVA is the only once-daily inhaled maintenance prescription treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). SPIRIVA works to keep airways open for a full 24 hours and reduces the likelihood of COPD flare-ups, or exacerbations.

To make sure your loved one gets the full benefit of SPIRIVA, he or she needs to take it every day. Here's where you can really help. Make sure he or she knows how to use it. Together, you should take a look at How to Use Your SPIRIVA HandiHaler.

Staying on SPIRIVA

Be a coach. If it seems like your loved one is getting discouraged, offer gentle reminders of any improvements they've made since they started to manage their COPD.

Offer encouragement. Tell your loved one how much you appreciate the fact that he or she is working so hard to manage their COPD and what that means to friends and family. Some people may find it easier to stay with treatment when they realize they have the support of those around them.

Now that you know about SPIRIVA, take a look at some of the things you can do to help create a safe environment for your loved one >

Share this page

If you have a friend or a loved one who's having breathing difficulties, you may want to share this information with them so they can learn more about COPD.

What you'll send them is a direct link to this page. Your name will be included so that your friend or loved one will know who sent this email to them. To make sure they receive this, you'll need to fill out all of the fields below.

  • Please enter your name.
  • Please enter your email address in the format of name@domain.com.
  • Please enter your friend's name.
  • Please enter your friend's email address in the format of name@domain.com.

Message sent! To send another, type in another friend's name and email address.

The names and email addresses provided will be used solely to send the link to your friend. This information will not be stored or used for any other purpose than to transmit this message.

You're leaving the SPIRIVA Web site

You are now leaving a Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. site. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has not reviewed the contents of all pages and sites that may be linked to this site. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is not responsible and disclaims any liability for the content of any other page or site or for any viruses or similar harmful programs that may be present on such pages or sites. Linking to any other page or site is at your own risk.

Continue Stay on the SPIRIVA site.

Say thank you

Appreciation can be the incentive your loved one needs to keep going. Send her a card or flowers to say thank you for taking care of yourself.

Jog the Memory

Tips to help your loved
one remember their COPD medication >

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (please scroll)

Do not use Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) if you are allergic to tiotropium or ipratropium (e.g., Atrovent®) or any of the ingredients in SPIRIVA. If your breathing suddenly worsens, your face, throat, lips, or tongue swells, you get hives, itching or rash, stop taking SPIRIVA and seek immediate medical help.

SPIRIVA HandiHaler is not a rescue medicine and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems.

Do not swallow SPIRIVA capsules. The contents of the capsule should only be inhaled through your mouth using the HandiHaler device.

If you have vision changes or eye pain or if you have difficulty passing urine or painful urination, stop taking SPIRIVA and call your doctor right away.

Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, problems passing urine or an enlarged prostate, as these may worsen with SPIRIVA. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or are allergic to milk proteins. Ask your doctor if you are not sure. Also discuss with your doctor all the medicines you take, including eye drops.

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

Do not let the powder from the SPIRIVA capsule get into your eyes.

Dizziness and blurred vision may occur with SPIRIVA. Should you experience these symptoms, you should use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car or operating appliances or other machines.

Read the Patient Information and the step-by-step Instructions for Use for SPIRIVA before you use your inhaler.

INDICATION

SPIRIVA® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) is a prescription medicine used once each day (a maintenance medicine) to control symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by relaxing your airways and keeping them open. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both.

SPIRIVA HandiHaler also reduces the likelihood of flare-ups and worsening of COPD symptoms (COPD exacerbations).

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.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Click here for full Prescribing Information and Instructions for Use.

DISCLAIMER

The tips contained on this site convey general information and are not intended to be, nor should they be used as, a replacement for the advice of a licensed physician. Your doctor knows your specific condition. As with all things medical, you should talk to your doctor before you start any treatment, exercise, diet, or other lifestyle change.

  • SAR00869

  • SV182800CONS

This information is for U.S. residents only. Products discussed herein may have different labeling in different countries.
Copyright © 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to the Internet Site Legal Notices and Disclaimers and Privacy Policy. Date 01/12

*According to IMS NPA Market Dynamics, May 2011.
PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information PI Information

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (please scroll)

Do not use Spiriva® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) if you are allergic to tiotropium or ipratropium (e.g., Atrovent®) or any of the ingredients in SPIRIVA. If your breathing suddenly worsens, your face, throat, lips, or tongue swells, you get hives, itching or rash, stop taking SPIRIVA and seek immediate medical help.

SPIRIVA HandiHaler is not a rescue medicine and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems.

Do not swallow SPIRIVA capsules. The contents of the capsule should only be inhaled through your mouth using the HandiHaler device.

If you have vision changes or eye pain or if you have difficulty passing urine or painful urination, stop taking SPIRIVA and call your doctor right away.

Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, problems passing urine or an enlarged prostate, as these may worsen with SPIRIVA. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or are allergic to milk proteins. Ask your doctor if you are not sure. Also discuss with your doctor all the medicines you take, including eye drops.

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

Do not let the powder from the SPIRIVA capsule get into your eyes.

Dizziness and blurred vision may occur with SPIRIVA. Should you experience these symptoms, you should use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car or operating appliances or other machines.

Read the Patient Information and the step-by-step Instructions for Use for SPIRIVA before you use your inhaler.

INDICATION

SPIRIVA® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) is a prescription medicine used once each day (a maintenance medicine) to control symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by relaxing your airways and keeping them open. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both.

SPIRIVA HandiHaler also reduces the likelihood of flare-ups and worsening of COPD symptoms (COPD exacerbations).

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.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Click here for full Prescribing Information and Instructions for Use.

DISCLAIMER

The tips contained on this site convey general information and are not intended to be, nor should they be used as, a replacement for the advice of a licensed physician. Your doctor knows your specific condition. As with all things medical, you should talk to your doctor before you start any treatment, exercise, diet, or other lifestyle change.