Humans often forget about being grateful for the many blessings that occur to us. The simple little thing such as the ability to breathe easily without putting extra effort or struggle are one of the many gifts given to humans and unfortunately often be taken for granted. Breathlessness is one of the symptoms associated with breathing difficulty. A person with breathlessness will understand the gift of breathing and will do anything in their power to obtain it. Breathlessness can get so severe that a person might be needing medicine such as SPIRIVA RESPIMAT 2.5 mg to help a them breathe normal. SPIRIVA is a bronchodilator used to help treat patient with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that struggle with breathlessness.
Spiriva Respimat contains tiotropium bromide as its active ingredient. This substance belongs to a class of medication known as bronchodilators. A bronchodilator works by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and expanding the airways. This occurs as a result of the anticholinergic properties effect. This medication is known as a long-acting bronchodilator as the effect lasts for at least 12 hours. This is in contrast with short-acting bronchodilators as it only lasts around only 4 hours. Long-acting bronchodilators such as this SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is used to help control breathlessness in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is prescribed for those aged 6 and above as maintenance treatment for asthma and not as a rescue medicine.
This medicine must be used regularly in order for the drug to work effectively. The recommended dose is 5 mcg which consists of 2 puffs, taken once daily and at the same time of the day. Do not inhale more than 2 sprays in 24 hours. If you use this inhaler for the first time or have not used it for more than 3 days, you need to prime it before using it. Priming an inhaler helps to make sure the medicine content is mixed with the propellant to ensure you are receiving the full dose of the medicine. To prime, simply spray the medicine 3 times into the air and away from the face. A slow-moving mist is a sign that the inhaler is ready to be used. Full benefit of the medicine will be obvious after several doses. Hence, it is important to take it on a regular basis and with its recommended dosage or as instructed by your healthcare provider.
Although SPIRIVA is good for the lungs, this does not eliminate the potential side effects when using this medicine. Common side effects include dry mouth, sore throat, headache, dizziness and sinus infection. If dizziness or blurred vision is experienced by a patient, the person should avoid working with machines or driving vehicles by themselves until they discuss the matter with the doctor. When side effects persist or become worse, patients should not stop taking the medicine and have to notify their doctor. Patients with other medical conditions should let their doctor know before using SPIRIVA. Medical conditions such as men with enlarged prostate, difficulty passing urine or a blockage in bladder and a person with kidney problems or glaucoma, should be informed to the doctor. This is because drugs used to treat these medical conditions may have reactions with SPIRIVA due to anticholinergic properties. Hence, to avoid adverse drug reactions or high risk for side effects, patients should let the doctor know the medical conditions they are diagnosed with and medications they are taking.
Since patients using SPIRIVA might be needing this medication for a long period of time, these potential side effects can be worrisome. One of the concerns regarding usage of SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is the possibility of dental caries. Dental caries is a microbial disease of the. calcified tissues of the teeth, characterised by. demineralization of the inorganic portion and. destruction of the organic substance of the tooth. In other words, dental caries are tooth decay or dental cavities. The high dosage and long duration of inhalation therapy such as SPIRIVA RESPIMAT has been closely linked to adverse effects on the oral tissue. This means that there is the possibility of dental caries to occur. Dental caries associated with SPIRIVA can be explained with the effect of the medication affecting the secretion of saliva in the mouth. With the decreased saliva in the mouth, enzymes that are supposed to inhibit infections in the mouth become less too. This increases the risk for bacterial colonisation and plaque growth.
In essence, SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is used to control breathing symptoms in asthma and COPD. It needs to be used regularly in order to get the full effect of the medicine. The act of priming the inhaler is not a must on every use except for the first time or after a long time of not using it. Side effects are usually mild and most people tolerate this medicine. In rare occurrences, serious side effects such as allergic reaction, breathing difficulties moments after use, eye pain or vision changes should be taken seriously and need immediate medical care.
