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SPIRIVA® Respimat® (tiotropium) for COPD

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SPIRIVA® Respimat® (tiotropium) for COPD

This section is intended to provide reference information for UK members of the public, patients prescribed SPIRIVA Respimat (tiotropium) for COPD and their carers. It is not to replace the opinion of a healthcare professional.

Patient Information Leaflet
Summary of Product Characteristics

COPD

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of long-term conditions caused by damage to the lungs, which can make it difficult to breathe.1,2

When patients have COPD, the air sacs inside their lungs may collapse when breathing in and the airways may become inflamed and narrowed.1,2

Symptoms

Patients with COPD may experience some of the following symptoms, which can make it harder to carry out everyday tasks:2

Increasing shortness of breath when active
Increasing shortness of breath when active
Frequent chest infections
Frequent chest infections
Persistent wheezing and a chesty cough
Persistent wheezing and a chesty cough

How is COPD treated?

Inhaled medicines are usually used to treat COPD to help patients manage their symptoms.2,3

What is SPIRIVA Respimat (tiotropium)?

Tiotropium is used to help people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to manage symptoms. It contains tiotropium which helps to open the airways and get air in and out of the lungs, should not be used to relieve a sudden shortness of breath, and should be used as two puffs from the Respimat inhaler once daily, at the same time of the day.3 

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common side effect (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) which may be experienced when taking tiotropium for COPD is dry mouth.3

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 immediately.3

Please refer to the patient information leaflet for further information about possible side effects.

Where can I find more information about this medicine?

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.

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 SmPC are not intended to replace the opinion of a healthcare professional.

References

  1. Asthma + Lung UK. What is COPD? Available from: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/what-copd (Accessed September 2026).

  2. NHS Choices. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/ (Accessed September 2026).

  3. SPIRIVA Respimat Patient Information Leaflet.

NP-GB-103750 V2 | September 2026

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Side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This
includes any side effects not listed in package leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly to the Yellow Card scheme
of www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of the medicine.