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

Managing Your COPD

Request SPIRIVA information >
Add to My Tips to Go

Managing Your COPD

Many people try to manage their chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by reacting to their symptoms. They wait until they can't catch their breath or stop coughing. Then, they use a rescue inhaler to deal with the immediate problem. Once it's over, they wait for the next crisis and repeat the process.

The experts who develop treatment guidelines for COPD say there's a better way. They recommend managing your COPD for the long term, so you can get ahead of your symptoms. This may actually help you reduce the likelihood of these COPD flare-ups.

How do you help manage your COPD symptoms for the long term? By adding a maintenance medicine — one you take every day — to your COPD treatment plan.

In this section, you'll learn more about the benefits of maintenance therapy and how to partner with your doctor.

  • Maintenance and Rescue Medicines

    Learn why you need both types of medicines to help manage COPD.

    Learn more >

  • Partnering with Your Doctor

    What you tell — and don't tell — your doctor can influence the quality of care you receive.
    Learn more >

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.

A shot of prevention

Manage COPD by reducing your chance of some respiratory infections. Make sure you get your flu shot every year — and a pneumonia shot if you need one.

Exercising for breath

One important part of managing your COPD is to get more exercise. Talk to your doctor before starting any kind of physical activity program. Learn more >

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 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.

  • SAR00803

  • SV152404CONS

This information is for U.S. residents only. Products discussed herein may have different labeling in different countries.
Copyright © 2011, 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 07/11

*According to IMS NPA Market Dynamics, December 2010.
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