Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Patients enrolled in Medicare or government prescription programs are not eligible for the SPIRIVA RESPIMAT Savings Card; however, other resources may be available to you.
You may be eligible to pay as little as $35* for a 30-day prescription fill of SPIRIVA RESPIMAT with the Savings Card.
See if you are eligible for a SPIRIVA RESPIMAT Savings Card.
Using Your Savings Card With Mail-Order Pharmacies
If you have switched over to using a mail-order pharmacy to get your SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, and they have not allowed the use of your Savings Card, please follow the instructions below to obtain reimbursement:
- Visit www.patientrebateonline.com
- You will be required to enter your Savings Card information and provide a receipt for your prescription.
- A reimbursement check will be sent directly to you.
*Terms and Conditions Apply.
BI Cares Foundation
There is charitable assistance for eligible patients in need. The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program helps patients who meet program eligibility criteria to obtain medications free of charge. For more information, go to www.bipatientassistance.com, or call 1-800-556-8317 from 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT (tiotropium bromide) Inhalation Spray, 1.25 mcg, is a long-term, 1 time each day, prescription maintenance treatment of asthma for people 6 years and older. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is not a treatment for sudden asthma symptoms.
When taken in 2 puffs, 1 time each day, SPIRIVA RESPIMAT helps you breathe better and may reduce the risk of asthma flare-ups (also called exacerbations) in adult patients.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT helps to keep airways open for a full 24 hours.
In studies, an asthma flare-up was defined as an episode consisting of an increase of asthma symptoms (shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, or chest tightness), or trouble breathing that lasts for 2 or more consecutive days requiring treatment with additional medications for 3 or more days. An asthma flare-up may also be called an exacerbation by your doctor.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT works by relaxing the tiny muscles in your airways, helping to get them open and keep them open for a full 24 hours.
Keep in mind, it may take up to 4 to 8 weeks of treatment with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT for your breathing to improve. It’s important to give SPIRIVA RESPIMAT time to work for you.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is a maintenance medicine. For SPIRIVA RESPIMAT to work, you need to take 2 puffs, 1 time each day. Keep in mind, it may take up to 4 to 8 weeks of treatment with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT for your breathing to improve. It’s important to give SPIRIVA RESPIMAT time to work for you.
It’s important to take 2 puffs of SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, 1 time each day, to receive the proper dose of medicine. When used as directed, SPIRIVA RESPIMAT helps to keep your airways open for a full 24 hours.
It may take up to 4 to 8 weeks of treatment with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT for your breathing to improve.
Before you use SPIRIVA RESPIMAT for the first time, and each time you refill your prescription, carefully read the Instructions for Use.
Before taking SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications:
- Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including kidney problems, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, problems passing urine, or blockage in your bladder
- Tell your doctor all the medicines you take, including eye drops. Ask your doctor if you are taking any anticholinergic medicines because taking them together with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can increase side effects
Do not use SPIRIVA RESPIMAT if you are allergic to tiotropium, ipratropium, atropine or similar drugs, or any ingredient in this medicine.
Symptoms of a serious reaction to SPIRIVA RESPIMAT may include raised red patches on your skin (hives), itching, rash, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
Do not spray SPIRIVA RESPIMAT into your eyes. Your vision may get blurry and the pupil in your eye may get larger (dilate). If this happens, call your doctor.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can cause dizziness and blurred vision. Should you experience these symptoms, you should use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car or operating appliances or other machines. Should you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor.
Do not take SPIRIVA RESPIMAT with other anticholinergic medicines. Ask your doctor if you are taking any anticholinergic medicines.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including eye drops.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can cause serious side effects, including:
- Allergic reaction. Symptoms may include:
- Raised red patches on your skin (hives)
- Itching
- Rash
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing
If you have these symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop taking SPIRIVA RESPIMAT and call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
- Sudden narrowing and blockage of the airways into the lungs (bronchospasm). Your breathing suddenly gets worse. If you have these symptoms of bronchospasm, use your rescue inhaler, stop taking SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, and call your doctor right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
- New or worsened increased pressure in the eyes (acute narrow-angle glaucoma). Symptoms of acute narrow-angle glaucoma may include: eye pain, blurred vision, and seeing halos (visual halos) or colored images along with red eyes. Using only eye drops to treat these symptoms may not work. If you have these symptoms, stop taking SPIRIVA RESPIMAT and call your doctor right away.
- New or worsened urinary retention. Symptoms of blockage in your bladder and/or enlarged prostate may include: difficulty passing urine, painful urination. If you have these symptoms of urinary retention, stop taking SPIRIVA RESPIMAT and call your doctor right away.
The most common side effects with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT in adult patients with asthma were:
- Sore throat
- Sinus infection
- Bronchitis
- Headache
The side effect profile for adolescent and pediatric patients was comparable to that observed in adult patients with asthma.
These are not all the possible side effects of SPIRIVA RESPIMAT. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is an asthma maintenance medicine taken 1 time each day. You should take 2 puffs 1 time each day, every day, as prescribed by your doctor. Asthma is a chronic condition, and persistent asthma requires long-term treatment.
You should clean the mouthpiece, including the metal part inside the mouthpiece, with a damp cloth or tissue only, at least once a week. Any minor discoloration in the mouthpiece does not affect your SPIRIVA RESPIMAT inhaler.
Click here for full Prescribing Information, including Instructions for Use
The best way to know if you’re doing all you can to manage your asthma is to have an open and honest discussion with your doctor. We offer several tips on preparing for your next doctor's appointment on this site. Be sure to talk about all your asthma symptoms, even if they seem normal to you.
If your asthma is well managed, it should have little impact on your daily life. You should also have a relatively low risk of having a serious asthma attack (also known as an exacerbation).