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Asthma

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a long-term disease characterised by airway inflammation and narrowing of the airways.1

Symptoms

Not all patients with asthma have symptoms all the time, symptoms might happen randomly or only when patients are exposed to a trigger, such as allergies (including dust, animal fur or pollen), cold air, cigarette smoke, pollution, exercise or cold or flu infections.2,3

Patients with asthma may experience some of the following symptoms, which can disrupt their everyday life:2,3


Shortness of breath, even after light or moderate activity
Chest tightness
Coughing

Sometimes patients with asthma might experience an asthma attack, where their symptoms may temporarily worsen.3

How is asthma treated?

Inhaled medicines are usually used to treat asthma to help patients with asthma manage their symptoms and reduce their chances of having an attack.1

Severe asthma

Severe asthma is a specific type of asthma, where symptoms do not improve with usual asthma treatments, even if taken exactly as prescribed.4 Severe asthma may increase the risk of having an asthma attack or needing to go to a hospital.4 It can affect both adults and children, but it is much less common than asthma.4 If a patient has severe asthma, their doctor will work with them to find additional treatments to help control their symptoms and improve their quality of life.5

What is SPIRIVA® Respimat® (tiotropium)?

SPIRIVA® Respimat® (tiotropium) is used to help people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or severe asthma to breathe more easily. It contains the active ingredient tiotropium which is a bronchodilator (long-acting muscarinic antagonist). SPIRIVA® Respimat® helps to open the airways and get air in and out of the lungs. SPIRIVA® Respimat® (tiotropium) should be used in addition to so-called inhaled corticosteroids and other bronchodilators (e.g., long-acting β2 agonists).1

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common side effect which may be experienced when taking SPIRIVA® Respimat® (tiotropium) is dry mouth.1

In addition, in common with all inhaled medicines, some patients may experience an unexpected tightness of the chest, coughing, wheezing or breathlessness immediately after inhalation (bronchospasm). If any of these occur, please consult your doctor.1

Please refer to the patient information leaflet for further information about possible side effects.

References
  1. SPIRIVA® Respimat® Patient Information Leaflet.
  2. Asthma + Lung UK. Symptoms of asthma. Available from: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/asthma/symptoms-asthma (Accessed August 2023).
  3. NHS Choices. Asthma. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/ (Accessed August 2023).
  4. Asthma + Lung UK. What is severe asthma? Available from: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/severe-asthma/what-severe-asthma (Accessed August 2023).
  5. Asthma + Lung UK. How is severe asthma treated? Available from: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/severe-asthma/how-severe-asthma-treated (Accessed August 2023).

Where can I find more information about SPIRIVA® Respimat® (tiotropium)?

Patient Information Leaflet

The Patient Information Leaflet is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using this medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.

Summary of Product Characteristics

The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) tells healthcare professionals, such as doctors, pharmacists and nurses, how to prescribe and use this medicine correctly. The information in the Patient Information Leaflet and Summary of Product Characteristics are not intended to replace the opinion of a healthcare professional.

NP-GB-1002342 V2August 2023

Side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any side effects not listed in package leaflet.

You can also report side effects directly to the Yellow Card scheme of https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of the medicine.

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