New Spiriva inhaler: Hi Have just read... - Asthma Community ...

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New Spiriva inhaler

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Hi

Have just read the Nursing Times and have noticed an advert for Spiriva in a new inhaler form - is anybody using it already? Am going to ask to try it as many a time I have nearly swallowed the Spiriva capsules along with all the other tablets I take in the mornings!

""Spiriva is now available as Spiriva Respimat - a unique new generation soft mist inhaler""

Sarah

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i saw advert as well but not as strong is it although studies were saying its as effective as other. won't apply to me as not using mine anymore stopped it as didn't seem to be doing anything with guidance from asthma nurse of course.

I'm tempted to give it a try, but only out of curiosity really - I don't really have any issue with the old style Spiriva, even if it does look like something out of the Ark!

Hopefully it will be better for older people, though - I've always thought that those with poor manual dexterity or cognitive problems probably find the old Spiriva a bit much to use.

Em

My consultant was talking bout that when i last saw him as it should be easier to use than the standard spiriva inhaler whihc i ofetn dont ahve the puff to work properly. meant to be coming out beginning of the new year... well that is when the southampton hospital is getting it.

olive

xx

please can someone explain what the difference is between this new one and the old one? I tried the old one before but it didn't really do anything for me just wondered if this new one is different enough to mean it might be worth having another try. from izzi.

Hi izzi,

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't find Spiriva much help to you - I hope you're not struggling too much at the moment.

The main difference between the two inhalers is the way that the drug is delivered. The new Respimat inhaler is similar to an MDI 'puffer' style inhaler, but it delivers a slow shot of a very fine mist of the drug, which can be inhaled more deeply into the lungs. This means that more of the dose gets where it needs to go, and less of it is deposited in the mouth and throat, so hopefully it would be more effective with fewer side effects.

It's also easier to use, from a practical point of view - as you probably remember, the old style Sprivia is a bit cumbersome, with having to put the capsule inside, and then push the pin in, and then inhale it! The main benefit is going to be for the elderly and other people with poor manual dexerity. Also, to use the old Spiriva, you have to have a certain amount of 'puff' to be able to suck in the drug with sufficient force - the new inhaler apparently eliminates that problem.

Overall, I would say that if your lack of response to Spiriva was due to problems using the inhaler, or not having enough breath to suck in the drug, then it's probably worth trying the new one. If you could take the inhaler perfectly well, but it just didn't help, it's probably not worth trying the new one - it is the same drug, just with a different delivery device. Do discuss it with your GP or asthma nurse, though, if you've any doubts!

By the way, a good way of telling if you are sucking the powder in on the old style inhalers with sufficient force - if you are, the empty capsule will rattle in the inhaler. If you can't make the rattling noise, then you probably don't have enough breath to use it, and you could consider asking for the new device.

Hope this helps

Em H

hi Emily thanks so much that's really helpful. i think my inhaler technique was ok with the spiriva as my asthma nurse checked it with me to make sure i was using it ok. i did find it a bit difficult to use as i have something called rheumertoid arthritus so it was a bit fiddly to use. but i managed ok. have to assume the drug itself just didn't suit me. thanks anyway for your reply. from izzi.

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