COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Been taking it for a week now and have yet to get a full dose because either the first dose and or the second dose makes me cough it out...as soon as the puff hits my throat so it is not getting to my lung.....Dr. said a lot of people have the same problem with respimat.....so I will be going back on my old faithful Tiova............My opinion is: unless you can get samples or get it through a free plan I would not try it...If you pay for it and cant take it you will be putting a big hole in your donut....
Due to another person asking about inhalers I started looking up information on "LABA" inhalers which= "Can cause asthma related death"
After my daughter & another person I know recently had a scary reaction to albuterol that has this type of warning, I am getting "cautious" about my inhalers. (my daughter had taken it for years & then had bad reaction recently)
I have taken Spiriva Handihaler for years & just switched to the respimat, which I liked, but just now I looked further into it;
I thought the handihaler & respimat had the same medication, but=
Spiriva (tiova) handihaler is classes as a Long-acting Muscarinic Antagonist (LAMA)"LAMA" medication. which of course has side effects, but seems better than the Long acting Beta Antagonists="LABA" inhalers that have the warning "may cause asthma related death.
Spiriva handihaler (and tiova) main ingredient is "tiotropium bromide" which is a "LAMA"
Spiriva Respimat main ingredients are; tiotropium bromide "LAMA"
AND
olodaterol FDC; which is a "LABA"
I am not saying to or not to take the inhaler prescribed, but I am going to research this further & speak with my dr about it.
I am thinking of switching back to the spiriva handihaler as now i'm thinking "why fix what wasn't broke". I changed because I thought the Respimat would be easier to use.....
I would love if someone that finds info better on the web than I do would add any links they may find that I/we can educate ourselves more. I do like to make an "informed decision" then speak with my PCP about it. I would also appreciate any personal opinions or experiences with the 2 different types of medications;
LAMA & LABA
of course changing back will be the problem of what to do with ones I have, as j.h says they are expensive. :(
April 19 2014 Respimat info;
http://us.boehringer-ingelheim.com/news_events/press_releases/press_release_archive/2014/08-19-14-boehringer-ingelheim-us-filing-fixed-dose-combination-tiotropium-plus-olodaterol-patients-copd.html
January 27, 2015 info;
https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/news/news_releases/press_releases/2015/27_january_2015_copd.html
ps. I am in no way suggesting ANYONE not use their inhalers; nor cause fear as ALL medications, even a asprin, has side effects....i'm just curious about these meds & want to learn more about them.