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|Spiriva HandiHaler

Spiriva HandiHaler

Spiriva HandiHaler is used for:

Treating symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including bronchitis and emphysema. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Spiriva HandiHaler is an anticholinergic agent. It works by enlarging the airways to allow easier breathing.

Do NOT use Spiriva HandiHaler if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Spiriva HandiHaler or to atropine or related medicines (eg, ipratropium)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Spiriva HandiHaler :

Some medical conditions may interact with Spiriva HandiHaler . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate or blockage of the bladder neck, glaucoma, or kidney problems
• if you are having an asthma attack or increased difficulty breathing

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Spiriva HandiHaler . However, no specific interactions with Spiriva HandiHaler are known at this time.

Ask your health care provider if Spiriva HandiHaler may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Spiriva HandiHaler :

Use Spiriva HandiHaler as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Spiriva HandiHaler . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Spiriva HandiHaler by mouth with or without food.
• Do not swallow the capsules. The capsules are used with a special inhaler.
• Do not remove a capsule from the packaging until you are ready to use it. If a second capsule is exposed to the air when you are removing a capsule for use, it must be discarded. Do not save the capsule for later.
• After removing the capsules from the strip, all of the remaining capsules in the strip must be used within 5 days.
• The capsule must immediately be placed in a special inhaler device. The device will puncture the capsule so that the medicine inside may be inhaled into the lungs through the mouthpiece. Exhale slowly and deeply. Do not breathe into the mouthpiece of the inhaler. Position the inhaler mouthpiece between your lips and try to rest your tongue flat. Keep your head upright. Take a slow, deep breath. You should hear the capsule vibrate inside the inhaler. Hold your breath as long as it feels comfortable, then exhale slowly through pursed lips. Breathe out completely.
• To be sure all of the medicine has been inhaled from the capsule, inhale from the mouthpiece a second time following the same process.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unclear on how to use this device or inhale the medicine. Clean the inhaler device once a month according to the instructions in the patient leaflet.
• Each inhaler device may be used for up to 1 year and then should be replaced.
• Using Spiriva HandiHaler at the same time each day will help you remember to use it.
• Use Spiriva HandiHaler on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
• If you miss a dose of Spiriva HandiHaler , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Spiriva HandiHaler .

Important safety information:

• Spiriva HandiHaler may cause blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Spiriva HandiHaler with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Spiriva HandiHaler will not stop an asthma attack once it has started. If you are also using a rescue inhaler (eg, albuterol), be sure to always carry it with you to use during asthma attacks.
• Avoid getting Spiriva HandiHaler in your eyes. If you get Spiriva HandiHaler in your eyes and eye pain, blurred vision, or other vision changes occur, contact your doctor immediately.
• Use Spiriva HandiHaler with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially constipation or urinary tract infections.
• This medicine should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Spiriva HandiHaler while you are pregnant. It is not known if Spiriva HandiHaler is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Spiriva HandiHaler , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Spiriva HandiHaler :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; constipation; dry mouth; indigestion; muscle aches; nosebleed; runny nose; sore throat; stomach pain; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; difficult or painful urination; pain or white patches in the mouth or on the tongue; rapid or irregular heartbeat; wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include mental changes; severe constipation; stomach pain; tremors.

Store Spiriva HandiHaler at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Spiriva HandiHaler out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Spiriva HandiHaler , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Spiriva HandiHaler is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Spiriva HandiHaler . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.