Spiriva (tiotropium bromide) is a brand-name inhaler that’s prescribed for asthma and COPD in adults and certain children. As with other drugs, Spiriva can cause side effects, such as a sore throat.

Spiriva can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects may vary depending on which form of Spiriva you’re using and what condition is being treated. However, the more common side effects reported in clinical trials are similar for both forms of the drug and both conditions.

Spiriva comes in two forms: Spiriva Respimat and Spiriva Handihaler. Both forms may be prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. In addition, Spiriva Respimat may also be prescribed for asthma in adults and certain children.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Spiriva Handihaler or Spiriva Respimat in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Spiriva. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Spiriva Respimat and Spiriva Handihaler.

Mild side effects that have been reported by people who took Spiriva Respimat for COPD and asthma in clinical trials include:

In addition, mild side effects that have been reported by people who took Spiriva Handihaler for COPD in clinical trials include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Spiriva and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Spiriva. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Spiriva may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Spiriva Respimat and Spiriva Handihaler.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Spiriva, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* An allergic reaction is possible after using Spiriva. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Spiriva may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Do side effects of Spiriva go away?

Yes, they’re expected to. Most side effects of Spiriva are mild and typically go away as your body adjusts to the drug. These side effects tend to be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks.

If you have side effects that are persistent or bothersome, talk with your doctor.

Does Spiriva cause long-term side effects?

No, Spiriva isn’t expected to cause any long-term side effects.

If you have any questions or concerns about possible long-term side effects of Spiriva, talk with your doctor.

Can Spiriva cause weight gain or anxiety?

No, Spiriva isn’t known to cause weight gain or anxiety. These side effects were not reported in clinical trials of Spiriva Respimat or Spiriva Handihaler.

If you experience weight gain or anxiety during treatment with Spiriva, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and recommend ways to help manage your condition.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Spiriva may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Spiriva Respimat and Spiriva Handihaler.

Respiratory tract infection

It’s possible to develop a respiratory tract infection during treatment with Spiriva. An upper respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold, was a common side effect in clinical trials of both Spiriva Respimat and Spiriva Handihaler.

Symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection may include:

  • sore throat
  • runny nose
  • cough
  • fever

In rare cases, bronchitis (a lower respiratory tract infection) was reported in clinical trials of Spiriva Respimat for asthma. Symptoms of bronchitis may include:

What you can do

Before starting treatment with Spiriva, tell your doctor if you have an infection. They will likely want to treat your infection before they prescribe Spiriva.

If you develop symptoms of a respiratory infection during treatment with this drug, talk with your doctor. They can determine whether you have an infection and recommend treatment options for you.

Dry mouth

Spiriva may cause dry mouth. In clinical trials of Spiriva Respimat and Spiriva Handihaler, this was a commonly reported side effect. However, it was more common with Spiriva Handihaler.

With dry mouth, your body doesn’t produce as much saliva as it should. Symptoms may include:

This condition is typically mild and should improve as your body adjusts to Spiriva.

What you can do

If you experience dry mouth during treatment, there may be some at-home remedies you can try. For example, it may help to drink more liquids, suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy, or chew sugar-free gum throughout the day.

If you experience persistent or bothersome dry mouth, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest additional ways to help manage this side effect.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Spiriva can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t common in clinical trials of Spiriva Handihaler or Spiriva Respimat.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep using Spiriva. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Spiriva. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Problems with urination: Spiriva may cause urinary retention (difficulty completely emptying your bladder). If you have another condition that causes urinary problems, you may have a higher risk of this side effect. These conditions include bladder neck obstruction, an enlarged prostate, or existing urinary retention. If you have a current urinary condition or have had one in the past, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Spiriva.

Glaucoma: If you have glaucoma (increased eye pressure), you may have a higher risk of developing acute narrow-angle glaucoma. This is when you have a sudden increase in eye pressure.

Kidney problems: If you have a kidney condition, such as chronic kidney disease, talk with your doctor. You may have a higher risk of certain side effects from Spiriva, such as dry mouth or constipation. Your doctor will determine whether Spiriva is safe for your condition.

Allergic reaction to milk proteins: Before you start using Spiriva, tell your doctor if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to milk proteins. Spiriva Handihaler contains milk proteins. However, Spiriva Respimat does not. Your doctor will prescribe the safest treatment option for you.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Spiriva or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Spiriva. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known whether Spiriva is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about the possible side effects of Spiriva.

Alcohol consumption: There are no known interactions between Spiriva and alcohol. Talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to drink alcohol while you’re using Spiriva.

Like most drugs, Spiriva can cause mild side effects. These are usually temporary and go away with continued use of the drug. Although rare, Spiriva has some serious side effects. These may require immediate medical attention. If you have questions about side effects from using Spiriva, talk with your doctor.

If you’d like to learn more about Spiriva, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Spiriva: For details about other aspects of Spiriva, refer to this article.
  • Cost: If you’d like to learn about Spiriva and cost, see this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of Spiriva, view this article.
  • Interactions: To find out about Spiriva’s interactions, see this article.
  • A look at your condition: For details about the conditions Spiriva is prescribed to treat, see our hubs for asthma and COPD.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.