Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Tiotropium inhaler is used for the long term treatment of people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a disease affecting the lungs which makes it harder for the person to breathe as the disease gets worse.

Tiotropium works by opening up the airways and make it easier for air to move in and out of the lungs.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Use your Tiotropium inhaler every day to control your condition.
• Do not stop using your inhaler without checking with your healthcare professionals.
• Please refer to the Tiotropium inhaler’s patient information leaflet to learn how to use the inhaler.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies
• You have the following medical conditions:
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma (a type of eye condition where the pressure in the eye is increased)
  • Prostate problems or difficulty passing urine
  • Heart conditions such as irregular heart beats

What are some common side effects of this medication?

Common side effects include:

• Symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections such as cough, runny nose, sore throat and pain at the cheek and forehead areas
• Painful and frequent urination, which may be signs of a urinary tract infection
• Fast heart beat
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Headache

These symptoms may happen but should get better over time. Check with your doctor if any of these symptoms are serious or do not go away.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

In very rare cases, some patients might experience the following:

• Difficulty in passing urine
• Eye pain, blurred vision, red eyes
• Sudden difficulties in breathing such as shortness of breath, wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing) or chest tightness

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. Keep the cap on when not in use.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

When should I throw away this medication?

Check the dose counter and change the inhaler once the dose counter indicates zero doses or three months after you opened it.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on September 2022