Spiriva unavailable.

[Annscottie]

Morning all. Hope your weekend has been a good one.

I have just had a phone call from Boots to tell me that Spiriva is out of stock with them and at the manufacturers! I was offered an alternative called Tiogiva which I have never heard of but, on Googling, appears to contain the same amount of tiotropium bromide as Spiriva capsules.

Has anyone used Tiogiva?

Can Boots just supply alternative without GP say-so?

Thanks for reading.

[Lol1944]

If you get really stuck I just might have a spare one in Southport.

[Annscottie in reply to Lol1944]

Aww bless you. Thank you. I have the actual handihaler device it's the capsules they are having trouble getting.Visited Southport years ago and went to a fabulous big bookshop...think it was mainly secondhand books? A lovely flat area for walking too!

[Bevvy]

Some alternative medications require a gp to authorise but others don’t require this. I would be very surprised if a big organisation such as Boots weren’t fully aware of which medications they could supply as alternatives.

[Annscottie]

I agree Bevvy but just wondered. I think because I'll need the proper device for Tiogiva that might mean a different prescription.

[horseygirl_0103]

Im not sure - is it worth phoning your GP to find out what procedures are in place

I thought you could if it was dire emergency but i cant say for sure

[Trishe]

Hi Annscottie,I was given that medication recently, the capsules are a bit smaller than the spiriva ones, but was assured they were the same medication, I had no adverse side effects from them, the pharmacist said I should have had a device to go with them, I did find them tricky to open tho.

Trish.

[Annscottie in reply to Trishe]

Thank you for the information Trishe. Did you actually get a device with the capsules or did you have to ask for one/ or get surgery to change prescription to include device?

[Trishe]

Hi I didn't do either as my next prescription was filled with spiriva, so hopefully, will carry on now with that, I know you can ask for one when you request your prescription.

Good luck.

Trish

[Shrimpy-13-22-25]

Good morning Annscottie, when drugs are unavailable it may be best to compare the list of ingredients with the replacement as sometimes, although they are classed as the same, there are slight differences in them that may not be right for you. You can also contact manufacturers through their website and find out about availability.Your surgery pharmacist may also look into the suitability of a drug for you. Hope you get sorted.

[Annscottie]

Thanks Shrimpy. As far as I can see Spiriva and Tiogiva are made up of exactly the same ingredients. I'm going to talk to pharmacist this morning and go from there. I appreciate your reply. Thank you.

[Patk1 in reply to Annscottie]

U may find another chemist group maynt have a shortage.mayb worth asking

[Annscottie in reply to Patk1]

That would have been a good idea Patk1 but local Boots text me to say prescription ready so I called them and they have managed to get Spiriva now. Thank you to everyone who replied to my original post. Take care!

[Mickymoo]

Funny my trelogy inhaler is out of stock also and the chemist said he cant get it from anywhere, invluding the manufacturers . Wonder why there is a shortage of both?!

[Annscottie in reply to Mickymoo]

Hope they get it for you soon.