Thursday, December 13, 2007


¿What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Tiotropium Inhalation?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tiotropium, ipratropium (Atrovent) or atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine). Tiotropium Inhalation is used to prevent bronchospasm attacks. Do not use this medication to treat a bronchospasm attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication to treat an attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing bronchospasm attacks. Before using Tiotropium Inhalation, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
  • narrow-angle glaucoma; or
  • an enlarged prostate or a bladder obstruction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Tiotropium Inhalation or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment. FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known if tiotropium passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Tiotropium Inhalation without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

¿How should I use Tiotropium Inhalation?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tiotropium Inhalation is used to prevent bronchospasm attacks. Do not use this medication to treat a bronchospasm attack that has already begun. It will not work fast enough to reverse your symptoms. Use only a fast-acting inhalation medication to treat an attack. Talk with your doctor if any of your medications do not seem to work as well in treating or preventing bronchospasm attacks. Tiotropium Inhalation and its inhaler device come with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Tiotropium capsules are for use only in the HandiHaler device. Use only one capsule at a time. Do not take the capsules by mouth. It is important to use Tiotropium Inhalation regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely. Call your doctor right away if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if it makes your condition worse. If it seems like you need to use more of any of your medications in a 24-hour period, talk with your doctor. To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your lung function will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. Keep each tiotropium capsule in its blister pack until you are ready to place the capsule into the HandiHaler and use the device for your dose. Store Tiotropium Inhalation at room temperature away from moisture and heat.