COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, describes lung and airway diseases that restrict breathing.
In COPD there is irreversible damage to the lungs and airway that makes it hard to breathe.
Some of the changes in your lungs and airways due to COPD can include:
Loss of elasticity in the airways and air sacs of your lungs
Inflammation and/or scarring (fibrosis) and narrowing of the airways
Thick mucus in your airways
Damage to the walls between the air sacs in your lungs
What are the types of COPD?
Two types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. People with COPD often have features and symptoms of both.
Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis
Understanding COPD
Take a virtual tour of the lungs to understand how COPD impacts lung function and overall respiratory health.
What are the symptoms of COPD?
Cough with mucus that won’t go away after three months or longer
Difficulty taking a deep breath
Shortness of breath even with mild exertion or daily activity
Wheezing and other lung sounds
What are COPD flare-ups?
People with COPD often get flare-ups, also known as exacerbations, which are worsening symptoms. These can include severe difficulty breathing, thicker mucus, wheezing, and cough. Severe exacerbations can require hospitalization.
As COPD gets progressively worse over time, flare-ups can become more severe and happen more often. Progression usually occurs over the course of years. However, for some patients COPD can worsen more quickly.
What causes COPD?
The most common cause of COPD is damage to the lungs from smoking. Other causes may include:
A genetic disorder called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency that can cause lung damage
Secondhand smoke
Environmental factors such as toxins in the air
Occupational factors such as dust and fumes at your job
How is COPD managed and treated?
There is no cure for COPD. Treatment focuses on improving symptoms and reducing the risk of flare-ups. You will work with your health care team to come up with a treatment plan that best meets your needs.
Some recommendations your doctor may have include:
Quitting smoking
The best way to slow down the progression of COPD is to quit smoking now.
Inhaled medicines
Prescribed medicines can reduce the inflammation in your airways to help you breathe.
Oxygen therapy
May be required to improve oxygen levels.
Pulmonary rehabilitation
A program involving exercise and education to help manage your COPD.
Corticosteroids
Can help to reduce inflammation during exacerbations.
Positive airway pressure
Such as a BiPAP machine can help you to breathe, especially during an exacerbation.
Lung volume reduction (LVR)
A type of surgery or procedure that helps reduce trapped air in the lungs.
Please see the FAQs for answers to more questions about COPD.
INDICATIONS
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, 2.5 mcg, is a long-term, once-daily, prescription medicine used to control symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by relaxing your airways and keeping them open. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. SPIRIVA RESPIMAT also reduces the likelihood of COPD flare-ups (COPD exacerbations).
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, 1.25 mcg, is a long-term, once-daily, prescription maintenance treatment of asthma for people 6 years and older.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is not a treatment for sudden symptoms of asthma or COPD.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use SPIRIVA RESPIMAT if you are allergic to tiotropium, ipratropium, atropine or similar drugs, or any ingredient in these medicines.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT is not a rescue medicine and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems. Your doctor may give you other medicine to use for sudden breathing problems.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can cause allergic reactions. Symptoms can include raised red patches on your skin (hives), itching, rash and/or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking the medicine and get immediate medical care.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can cause your breathing to suddenly get worse (bronchospasm). If this happens, use your rescue inhaler, stop taking SPIRIVA RESPIMAT, and call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical care.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can increase the pressure in your eyes (acute narrow-angle glaucoma), which can cause the following symptoms: eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos or colored images along with red eyes. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking your medicine and call your doctor right away.
Dizziness and blurred vision may occur with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT. If you experience these symptoms, use caution when engaging in activities such as driving a car, or operating appliances or other machines.
SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can cause new or worsened urinary retention. Symptoms of blockage in your bladder and/or enlarged prostate may include difficulty passing urine and/or painful urination. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking your medicine and call your doctor right away.
The most common side effects reported with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT in patients with COPD include sore throat, cough, dry mouth, and sinus infection.
The most common side effects with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT in adult patients with asthma were sore throat, headache, bronchitis, and sinus infection. The side effect profile for adolescent and pediatric patients was comparable to that observed in adult patients with asthma.
Do not spray SPIRIVA RESPIMAT into your eyes, as this may cause blurring of vision and pupil dilation.
Tell your doctor all the medicines you take, including eye drops. Ask your doctor if you are taking any anticholinergic medicines because taking them together with SPIRIVA RESPIMAT can increase side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
