Spiriva Respimat

[Matman]

Is Spiriva Respimat effective for reducing sputum? I appreciate that its supposed to serve that purpose, but would appreciate knowing if Users think it actually does.

Thanks in advance for any comments about it.

Ps

The list of common side-effects was a long one, and the following extract taken from a 2015 Statement on the NICE Website, made me wonder if I should even be considering this Med: “... Differences between add-on therapy with tiotropium and placebo in patient-assessed asthma control and quality of life were small and did not meet the threshold for the minimal clinically important difference...”

[Poobah]

I was put on Spiriva but had to have Azithromycin to actually deal with long term phlegm. Came off Spiriva as it caused hypertension. Now on Eklira Genuair which is great and definitely helps keep my airways open. I also take Fostair. Had to have prednisone recently for viral infection. So I wouldn't say the LAMA inhalers are good for phlegm.

[Troilus in reply to Poobah]

I take it, but I don’t really have a problem with phlegm. ( Never have. ) I was told that it relaxes the muscles to help prevent bronchi spasms.

[Matman in reply to Troilus]

Appreciated.

[Jennicatt4 in reply to Poobah]

I had to be put on blood pressure medicine bc of hypertension after being put on this medicine. I asked my GP about it bc I had never had blood pressure problems before and he said no way it was caused by the spiriva!!! We’ll be asking for another type of med at my next doctor appt for sure now!!

[Poobah in reply to Jennicatt4]

High BP efinitely a side effect of Spiriva and listed as such. I did some research and I asked for Eklira Genuair which is also a LAMA inhaler. It's very good and I've been on it for a couple of years now.

[Jennicatt4 in reply to Poobah]

Thank you so much! I will definitely be asking to switch and hopefully come off my BP meds. Do you k ow what kind of asthma you have? I have eliophenil (sp) asthma so i also take Fasenra for it which I hope it eventually helps to get me off all other asthma meds. I take Flonase, singular, Zyrtec, spiriva and symbicort as well as the Fasenra every 8 weeks. I have severe eliophenisil asthma

[Poobah in reply to Jennicatt4]

I'm also have Eosinophil asthma combined with something else which I don't quite understand. I came off Symbicourt and am now on Fostair. Other meds: Ventolin, Eklira Genuair & Montelukast. I have a separate Becotide inhaler for exacerbation seasons. I switched from wet inhalers years ago due to aspirin sensitivity so all my inhalers are dry powder.

[Matman in reply to Jennicatt4]

Cheers for that. Much obliged.

[Matman in reply to Poobah]

Thanks. Appreciated.

[Amy2091]

I personally don't find it makes a huge difference to my mucus, my preventers are usually better for this. However I find it helps with (also the reason for prescription) shortness of breath. I get this quite bad with mild exercises (stairs/rushing etc) but without wheezing and it's been brilliant in reducing this.

[Matman in reply to Amy2091]

Noted. Thank you.

[Chip_y2kuk]

I take spiriva and have done for quite some time and yes it certainly reduces mucus and makes it easier to I've for me

[Matman in reply to Chip_y2kuk]

Thanks very much.

[Chip_y2kuk in reply to Matman]

No problem I've actually had braltus and spiriva respimat spiriva is slightly better... but vastly more costly to the NHS.. however consultant changed me from braltus to spiriva and GP wont touch/change it on my prescription