About Tiotropium 18 mcg Rotacap
Tiotropium 18 mcg Rotacap contains Tiotropium 18 mcg. Tiotropium is a long-acting bronchodilator that is breathed into the lungs once a day. It keeps the airways open and makes breathing easier. It is used for long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It does not relieve a sudden attack of breathlessness.
Uses of Tiotropium 18 mcg Rotacap
- Long-term treatment of COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Benefits
In COPD
Used every day, it keeps the airways more open for 24 hours. This can ease breathlessness, help you be more active and reduce flare-ups.
Side effects
Dry mouth is common and usually mild. Tell your doctor if side effects bother you.
Common
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Hoarse voice
Get medical help if you notice
- Sudden wheezing or breathlessness straight after inhaling — use your reliever and seek medical help
- Eye pain, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights or red eyes (possible glaucoma) — seek medical help
- Difficulty passing urine or a painful bladder — contact your doctor
- Fast or irregular heartbeat — contact your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Use it once a day at the same time, exactly as your doctor prescribed. Place one capsule in the inhaler device, close it and pierce or open the capsule as the device instructions show. Breathe out away from the device, then seal your lips around the mouthpiece and breathe in steadily and deeply. Hold your breath for a few seconds. The capsules are for inhaling only — do not swallow them. Keep the powder away from your eyes.
How it works
It blocks muscarinic receptors in the airway muscles. This stops the muscles from tightening in response to the chemical acetylcholine, so the airways stay more open.
Safety advice
Alcohol Safe
No interaction known.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It is not known if it passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor.
Driving Caution
It can occasionally cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive if you feel affected.
Kidney Caution
Use with caution in moderate to severe kidney disease; your doctor will monitor you.
Liver Safe
Labelling states no dose change is needed in liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but do not take more than one dose in a day. Take the next dose at the usual time.
Quick tips
- Use it once a day at the same time, even when you feel well.
- It does not stop sudden breathlessness — keep your reliever inhaler with you.
- Do not swallow the capsules; they are for the inhaler device only.
- Keep the powder out of your eyes.
- Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma or prostate or bladder problems.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Quaternary ammonium compound
- Therapeutic class
- Respiratory
- Action class
- Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Other anticholinergic inhalers such as ipratropium | Not recommended together; side effects may add up |
| Other medicines with anticholinergic effects (some antihistamines, antidepressants, bladder medicines) | May add to dry mouth, constipation and urine problems |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Tiotropium inhalation powder prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); Tiotropium inhalation powder Summary of Product Characteristics (EMC)). Pharmacist review pending.