SPIRIVA® Respimat
Asthma
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a long-term disease characterised by airway inflammation and narrowing of the airways.1
Symptoms
Not all patients with asthma have symptoms all the time, symptoms might happen randomly or only when patients are exposed to a trigger, such as allergies (including dust, animal fur or pollen), cold air, cigarette smoke, pollution, exercise or cold or flu infections.2,3
Patients with asthma may experience some of the following symptoms, which can disrupt their everyday life:2,3
Sometimes patients with asthma might experience an asthma attack, where their symptoms may temporarily worsen.3
How is asthma treated?
Inhaled medicines are usually used to treat asthma to help patients with asthma manage their symptoms and reduce their chances of having an attack.1
Severe asthma
Severe asthma is a specific type of asthma, where symptoms do not improve with usual asthma treatments, even if taken exactly as prescribed.4 Severe asthma may increase the risk of having an asthma attack or needing to go to a hospital.4 It can affect both adults and children, but it is much less common than asthma.4 If a patient has severe asthma, their doctor will work with them to find additional treatments to help control their symptoms and improve their quality of life.5
What is SPIRIVA Respimat (tiotropium)?
SPIRIVA Respimat (tiotropium) is used to help people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or severe asthma to breathe more easily. It contains the active ingredient tiotropium which is a bronchodilator (long-acting muscarinic antagonist). SPIRIVA Respimat helps to open the airways and get air in and out of the lungs. SPIRIVA Respimat (tiotropium) should be used in addition to so-called inhaled corticosteroids and other bronchodilators (e.g., long-acting β2 agonists).1
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common side effect which may be experienced when taking SPIRIVA Respimat (tiotropium) is dry mouth.1
In addition, in common with all inhaled medicines, some patients may experience an unexpected tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after inhalation (bronchospasm). If any of these occur, please consult your doctor.1
Please refer to the patient information leaflet for further information about possible side effects.
Where can I find more information about SPIRIVA Respimat (tiotropium)?
Patient Information Leaflet
The Patient Information Leaflet is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using this medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Patient Information Leaflet
Summary of Product Characteristics
The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) tells healthcare professionals, such as doctors, pharmacists and nurses, how to prescribe and use this medicine correctly. The information in the Patient Information Leaflet and Summary of Product Characteristics are not intended to replace the opinion of a healthcare professional.
References
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1.
SPIRIVA Respimat Patient Information Leaflet.
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2.
Asthma + Lung UK. Symptoms of asthma. Available from: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/asthma/symptoms-asthma (Accessed October 2024).
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3.
NHS Choices. Asthma. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/ (Accessed October 2024).
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4.
Asthma + Lung UK. What is severe asthma? Available from: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/severe-asthma/what-severe-asthma (Accessed October 2024).
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5.
Asthma + Lung UK. How is severe asthma treated? Available from: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/severe-asthma/how-severe-asthma-treated (Accessed October 2024).
NP-GB-103749 | November 2024
