Is any one else having problems with there Spireva capsules,I seem to be finding empty ones.

[dido53]

[huggs]

I have had no problems at all with my Spiriva. However if you have, you should return the entire contents to the pharmacist where you got them and they will issue you with a new box. Do this as soon as possible, because I know for myself if I miss a day or two then the violent coughing starts again. Just explain what has happened and there will be no problems. Take care and good luck. hugs xx

[PollyP]

Hi there, how do you know they are empty? Do you open them before you use them in the inhaler?

[dido53 in reply to PollyP]

No I know when I inhale them nothing comes out.

[PollyP]

Mmmm interesting, I have been using Spiriva for nearly 8 years now and yes sometimes when inhaling them it 'feels' like there is noting coming out tho I can't image the drug company who makes them doesn't have a strict quality assurance policy? Next time I get the feeling one may be empty I will open the capsule and take a look inside. Will let you know dido53

[stilltruckin]

They contain just 18 millionths of a gram of powder. If you feel it at all it's because some fraction got left behind in your mouth. Not feeling it indicates that you efficiently inhaled all of it.

[SeasideSusie]

I've been using Spiriva for a year and I've never felt anything come out. However, I have checked on many occasions that there is powder in there both before and after using the capsules . To check before, use an LED torch, hold the capsule between your thumb and finger and shine the torch at the bottom half of the capsule. You should see a small amount of powder inside. It probably wont show up if you do it in front of a window or bright light, I did away from the window and in front of a wall. To check afterwards, open up the capsule and there should be a small amount of white powder residue you can see inside.

[dukes]

Definitely a problem that I get from time to time, have even opened and checked to find little or no content in a few.

With such a fine powder it is probably inevitable that there will be occasional production problems.

I think that is why the packs contain 30 instead of 28 caps, so you have a couple of 'spares' !

[emmo]

All very interesting; perhaps this is why we sometimes go downhill without reason. Although I always check after I have taken mine this doesn't ensure I have inhaled anything as I have always found it pretty tasteless. Will try the light test and see what happens.

[dido53]

The reason I asked was that when I inhale you hear it rattle and its easy to breathe in but other times it is very hard( if that makes any sense) am fairly new to this and have mild COPD.

[SeasideSusie in reply to dido53]

Sometimes I find a capsule doesn't vibrate in the handihaler. I always check and have found that when it doesn't vibrate the holes pierced are bigger. I think those times I have pressed the button with a bit more force than normal. If the holes pierced are smaller (when I've not pressed so hard) then the capsule seems to vibrate properly. The handihaler needs a fairly vigorous "suck" anyway and I think when the holes are bigger the powder perhaps comes out easier than when the holes are smaller and maybe it affects the capsule vibrating. Not sure that's come across very clearly, I know what I mean, not sure anyone else will LOL!!!

[dido53 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you Seaside Susie,am glad you understood what I mean't so I will try and be a little more gentle in the future.

[knuket]

Yes I have found this problem.