When u was first diagnosed with copd I was given braltus, after seeing nurse who was asthma & copd trained, she was shocked that I was on that and immediately changed me to spiriva. So much easier to use and inhale. Now on picking up my repeat prescription they put me back in braltus, prescription nurse saying I shouldn’t have been on spiriva - feel completely mugged off
Any advice or personal experience from either drugs appreciated 💖
Hi they are much the same drug but brultas is a lower dose and alot cheeper. If you felt you got more from the spariver go back to you gp and ask to be changed back. They have to save money wear they can but not at the expense of your health. I find brultas horrable to use so much ends up in my mouth. Im going for a med review next week because i just dont get on with it. x
Think you need to speak to your GP
First I was on Spiriva for my Bronchiectasis but was eventually changed to Braltus. I find Braltus much easier to get the capsule out, but I don't find it any difference in other ways to Spiriva.
I was on spiriva then they changed it to braltus, find it easier to use plus you can see with the clear capsules that all the powder has gone. Don't notice any change it the effect it has. Xxx
They have the same amount of the same active ingredient - delivered dose (that leaves the mouthpiece) of both is 10mcg tiotropium bromide
medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...
medicines.org.uk/emc/produc...
Braltus is cheaper so to save the NHS money patients on Spiriva were changed over to Braltus.
I was changed from Spiriva to Braltus and a couple of weeks later I started to get sporadic tachycardia. After a few episodes the coincidence was discussed with the Nurse Practioner and I was put back on Spiriva and the tachycardia eventually settled down. I don't think it's a common side effect, and it can't be the tiotropium so it must be something else, and many have got on OK with Braltus. I've been allowed to stay on Spiriva now.
I have COPD and mild bronchiectasis and was originally put on Spiriva because I didn't get on with any of the usual fast acting bronchodilators so they tried the long acting one and it suited me OK.
I have been on Spiriva for 8yrs everytime they try and change it I refuse as get problems. I was changed to Fostair and had so many side effects. Spiriva is best for me . Sheila x
I also have Fostair with my Braltus and Azithromycin.
I was put on braltus and since then only had one chest infection over year and a half and that was after a trip to Paris the air is full of traffic fumes.
Moved from spiriva to braltus - no problems, no difference.
I have asthma, not COPD. I use Spiriva respimat inhaler which nebulises the titropium so it works very effectively. I use it when I have an exacerbation. I tried the Spiriva powder capsules but they were not as effective. I have no experience of Braltus. Though having looked on the internet it has the same chemical, titropium, as Spiriva. And it is delivered via capsule from what I see. It may be a good idea to discuss with your health professionals their clinical thinking behind changing from one to the other , E.g to do with delivery of the medication into your lungs, cost effectiveness to the NHS, your own specific capacity for deep breathing etc. Let me know what they say, best wishes, Nina
There is a current raging debate about puffers containing steroids. I myself find that I need them. BUT was taken off them and suffered, finally fought to go back on them. Braltus is just a generic of Spiriva (which was the original and more expensive) There is a big push to take people off steroid inhalers as some side effects, such as pneumonia, are not desirable.
Dosage content is obviously related.
Best wishes
exercise is the best medicine
Tess
Scotish65lass
I have had the same messing about, eventually Spiriva is important according to my A & E doctor along with my other meds which do not include brultas. It may be useful to use a large chamber, available thro' NHS
IKeith
Hi Scottish65lass,
This is a really hairy subject I have been on Spiriva for 12 years without problems,I don.t know anything about Braltus but it doesn't sound very good to use,I do agree there are occasions when GP's may offer cheap alternatives to try and reduce cost while maintaining the patients health.However my recent experience is that my Gp offered a vastly superior method of delivery.
Spiriva is a closed container relying on the patients ability to take up the contents with a mighty suck,the new style container that has open vents at the base makes the delivery much easier and therefore more complete.Has it occurred to you that if you use the purple old style container you are not getting a full dose? Lean on the Doc!
Corpachlocheil.
Braltus inhaler
Braltus plus ventolin 
Trimbow v Braltus
Spiriva 
