Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked

The SPIRIVA RESPIMAT Co-pay Calculator is an easy way to estimate your co-pay cost for Medicare, Government and Commercially Insured patients. Click on the link to find out more about your coverage.

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:

  1. Visit www.patientrebateonline.com
  2. You will be required to enter your Savings Card information and provide a receipt for your prescription.
  3. 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 is a 2 puffs, 1 time daily, inhaled prescription maintenance medication that has been clinically proven to significantly improve lung function. It works by opening airways to help people with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) breathe better—for a full 24 hours.

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is not for sudden COPD symptoms. Always carry a rescue inhaler.

Learn about SPIRIVA RESPIMAT

  • Delivers a soft mist that eases the effort to inhale the medicine

  • Is steroid free

  • Helps keep airways open for a full 24 hours

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is not for sudden COPD symptoms. Always carry a rescue inhaler.

Learn about what to expect from SPIRIVA RESPIMAT

While rescue inhalers treat sudden symptoms, maintenance treatments, like SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, are medicines you take daily to manage your COPD symptoms.

Learn about rescue and maintenance treatments

Yes! The Quick Start Guide will teach you step by step how to assemble and prepare your inhaler for daily use.

Download the Quick Start Guide

Also, you can watch a video on how to use it

See full Instructions for Use for complete details.

Yes. You should continue taking oxygen for your COPD as prescribed, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

COPD is a common, preventable, and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. It can make it difficult to get air out of your lungs and new air back in. While there is no cure for COPD, with lifestyle changes and medication, you may be able to breathe better and manage your symptoms.

Learn more about COPD

Some symptoms of COPD include:

  • Shortness of breath

  • Coughing

  • Chest tightness

  • Wheezing

Learn more about treating COPD

Stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do to slow the progression of COPD. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can help you breathe easier, even if you have smoked. One time daily SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is proven to help people who smoked a pack a day for 10 years breathe better.

Ask your doctor if SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is right for you

Many things can cause COPD symptoms to suddenly worsen. Triggers include:

  • Cigarette smoke and smoking

  • Extreme hot or cold weather

  • Air pollution

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COPD is a disease that can get worse over time, which means that symptoms can turn into something called a flare-up or exacerbation. It’s important to know what can cause a flare-up and what you can do to guard against them. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT has been shown to help significantly reduce the risk of flare-ups.

Most flare-ups are caused by a lung infection like the common cold, so germs are a threat. Other causes, called triggers, can irritate your lungs and cause flare-ups. Here are some of the most common triggers that should be avoided:

  • Weather that is very hot, very cold, or very humid

  • Pollution outside from smog and ozone, or inside from tobacco smoke and wood-burning fires

  • Household cleaning products with bleach or ammonia

  • Allergies to dust, animals, or pets

Yes! Ask your doctor about ways to help you breathe more efficiently during the day. He or she can also recommend relaxation techniques to use when you’re short of breath.

Find resources

In many cases, yes. In fact, exercise can have many benefits for a COPD sufferer. Some low-impact exercise, such as walking, stretching, and gentle strengthening exercises, can help decrease shortness of breath and improve your overall level of energy. Talk to your doctor before starting any new activities. Even with COPD, it may be possible and helpful to find an exercise program that works for you.

There’s a lot you can do to keep COPD under control. For instance:

  • Avoid triggers, such as dust or smoke, that can irritate your lungs

  • Get vaccinated against the flu and pneumonia

  • Avoid germs during cold and flu season

  • Get your family on board with encouragement and support

  • Take all medicines as recommended by your doctor

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INDICATIONS

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, 2.5 mcg, and SPIRIVA HANDIHALER are long-term, once-daily, prescription maintenance medicines used to control symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by relaxing your airways and keeping them open. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT and SPIRIVA HANDIHALER also reduce the likelihood of flare-ups (COPD exacerbations).

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, 1.25 mcg, is a long-term, once-daily, prescription maintenance treatment of asthma for people 6 years and older. 

SPIRIVA is not a treatment for sudden symptoms of asthma or COPD.

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not use SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER if you are allergic to tiotropium, ipratropium, atropine or similar drugs, or any ingredient in these medicines.

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER are not rescue medicines and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems. Your doctor may give you other medicine to use for sudden breathing problems.

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER can cause allergic reactions. Symptoms can include raised red patches on your skin (hives), itching, rash and/or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking the medicine and seek emergency medical care.

Before using SPIRIVA HANDIHALER, tell your doctor if you have a severe allergy to milk proteins.

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER can cause your breathing to suddenly get worse (bronchospasm). If this happens, use your rescue inhaler, stop taking SPIRIVA, and call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical care. 

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER can increase the pressure in your eyes (acute narrow-angle glaucoma) which can cause the following symptoms: eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos or colored images along with red eyes. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking your medicine and call your doctor right away.

Dizziness and blurred vision may occur with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER. If you experience these symptoms, use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car, or operating appliances or machinery.

SPIRIVA RESPIMAT or SPIRIVA HANDIHALER can cause new or worsened urinary retention. Symptoms of blockage in your bladder and/or enlarged prostate may include difficulty passing urine and/or painful urination. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking your medicine and call your doctor right away.

The most common side effects reported with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT in patients with COPD include sore throat, cough, dry mouth, and sinus infection. 

The most common side effects with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT in adult patients with asthma were sore throat, headache, bronchitis, and sinus infection. The side effect profile for adolescent and pediatric patients was comparable to that observed in adult patients with asthma.  

The most common side effects reported with SPIRIVA HANDIHALER in patients with COPD include upper respiratory tract infection, dry mouth, sinus infection, sore throat, non-specific chest pain, urinary tract infection, indigestion, runny nose, constipation, increased heart rate, and blurred vision. 

Do not swallow SPIRIVA capsules. The contents of the capsule should only be inhaled through your mouth using the HANDIHALER device.

Do not spray SPIRIVA RESPIMAT into your eyes, as this may cause blurring of vision and pupil dilation.

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 can increase side effects. Do not use SPIRIVA RESPIMAT and SPIRIVA HANDIHALER together.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

CL-SVR-0048 2.15.2017