Spiriva Handihaler Drug Information

SPIRIVA HANDIHALER (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder) is indicated for the long-term, once-daily, maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. SPIRIVA HANDIHALER is indicated to reduce exacerbations in COPD patients. SPIRIVA HANDIHALER is an anticholinergic indicated for the long-term, once-daily, maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and for reducing COPD exacerbations

For oral inhalation only. Do not swallow SPIRIVA capsules, as the intended effects on the lungs will not be obtained. The contents of the SPIRIVA capsules should only be used with the HANDIHALER device.

The recommended dosage of SPIRIVA HANDIHALER is two inhalations of the powder contents of one SPIRIVA capsule, once-daily, with the HANDIHALER device. Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours. For administration of SPIRIVA HANDIHALER, a SPIRIVA capsule is placed into the center chamber of the HANDIHALER device.

The SPIRIVA capsule is pierced by pressing and releasing the green piercing button on the side of the HANDIHALER device. The tiotropium formulation is dispersed into the air stream when the patient inhales through the mouthpiece. No dosage adjustment is required for geriatric, hepatically-impaired, or renally-impaired patients.

However, patients with moderate to severe renal impairment given SPIRIVA HANDIHALER should be monitored closely for anticholinergic effects. For oral inhalation only. DO NOT swallow SPIRIVA capsules.

Only use SPIRIVA capsules with the HANDIHALER device Two inhalations of the powder contents of a single SPIRIVA capsule (18 mcg) once daily

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the incidence of adverse reactions observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the incidences in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the incidences observed in practice. 6-Month to 1-Year Trials The data described below reflect exposure to SPIRIVA HANDIHALER in 2,663 patients. SPIRIVA HANDIHALER was studied in two 1-year placebo-controlled trials, two 1-year active-controlled trials, and two 6-month placebo-controlled trials in patients with COPD. In these trials, 1,308 patients were treated with SPIRIVA HANDIHALER at the recommended dosage of 18 mcg once a day.

Patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, or symptomatic prostatic hypertrophy or bladder outlet obstruction were excluded from these trials. An additional 6-month trial conducted in a Veteran's Affairs setting is not included in this safety database because only serious adverse events were collected. The most commonly reported adverse drug reaction was dry mouth.

Dry mouth was usually mild and often resolved during continued treatment. Other reactions reported in individual patients and consistent with possible anticholinergic effects included constipation, tachycardia, blurred vision, glaucoma (new onset or worsening), dysuria, and urinary retention. Four multicenter, 1-year, placebo-controlled and active-controlled trials evaluated SPIRIVA HANDIHALER in patients with COPD.

Table 1 shows all adverse reactions that occurred with a frequency of ≥3% in the SPIRIVA HANDIHALER group in the 1-year placebo-controlled trials where the rates in the SPIRIVA HANDIHALER group exceeded placebo by ≥1%. The frequency of corresponding reactions in the ipratropium-controlled trials is included for comparison. Table 1 Adverse Reactions (% Patients) in One-Year COPD Clinical Trials Arthritis, coughing, and influenza-like symptoms occurred at a rate of ≥3% in the SPIRIVA HANDIHALER treatment group, but were <1% in excess of the placebo group.

Other reactions that occurred in the SPIRIVA HANDIHALER group at a frequency of 1% to 3% in the placebo-controlled trials where the rates exceeded that in the placebo group include: Body as a Whole: allergic reaction, leg pain; Central and Peripheral Nervous System: dysphonia, paresthesia; Gastrointestinal System Disorders: gastrointestinal disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), gastroesophageal reflux, stomatitis (including ulcerative stomatitis); Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia; Musculoskeletal System Disorders: skeletal pain; Cardiac Events: angina pectoris (including aggravated angina pectoris); Psychiatric Disorder: depression; Infections: herpes zoster; Respiratory System Disorder (Upper): laryngitis; Vision Disorder: cataract. In addition, among the adverse reactions observed in the clinical trials with an incidence of <1% were atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, angioedema, and urinary retention. In the 1-year trials, the incidence of dry mouth, constipation, and urinary tract infection increased with age.

Two multicenter, 6-month, controlled studies evaluated SPIRIVA HANDIHALER in patients with COPD. The adverse reactions and the incidence rates were similar to those seen in the 1-year controlled trials. 4-Year Trial The data described below reflect exposure to SPIRIVA HANDIHALER in 5,992 COPD patients in a 4-year placebo-controlled trial. In this trial, 2,986 patients were treated with SPIRIVA HANDIHALER at the recommended dosage of 18 mcg once a day.

Additional Adverse Reactions Other adverse reactions not previously listed that were reported more frequently in COPD patients treated with SPIRIVA HANDIHALER than placebo include: dehydration, skin ulcer, stomatitis, gingivitis, oropharyngeal candidiasis, dry skin, skin infection, and joint swelling.

Postmarketing Experience

Adverse reactions have been identified during worldwide post-approval use of SPIRIVA HANDIHALER. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. These adverse reactions are: application site irritation (glossitis, mouth ulceration, and pharyngolaryngeal pain), dizziness, dysphagia, hoarseness, intestinal obstruction including ileus paralytic, intraocular pressure increased, oral candidiasis, palpitations, pruritus, tachycardia, throat irritation, and urticaria.

Sympathomimetics, Methylxanthines, Steroids SPIRIVA HANDIHALER has been used concomitantly with short-acting and long-acting sympathomimetic (beta-agonists) bronchodilators, methylxanthines, and oral and inhaled steroids without increases in adverse reactions.

Anticholinergics There is potential for an additive interaction with concomitantly used anticholinergic medications. Therefore, avoid coadministration of SPIRIVA HANDIHALER with other anticholinergic-containing drugs as this may lead to an increase in anticholinergic adverse effects.

Pregnancy Risk Summary The limited human data with SPIRIVA HANDIHALER use during pregnancy are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse pregnancy-related outcomes. Based on animal reproduction studies, no structural abnormalities were observed when tiotropium was administered by inhalation to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses 790 and 8 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human daily inhalation dose (MRHDID). Increased post-implantation loss was observed in rats and rabbits administered tiotropium at maternally toxic doses 430 times and 40 times the MRHDID, respectively.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is respectively.

No evidence of structural abnormalities was observed in rats or rabbits. However, in rats, tiotropium caused fetal resorption, litter loss, decreases in the number of live pups at birth and the mean pup weights, and a delay in pup sexual maturation at tiotropium doses of approximately 40 times the MRHDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis at a maternal inhalation dose of 78 mcg/kg/day). In rabbits, tiotropium caused an increase in post-implantation loss at a tiotropium dose of approximately 430 times the MRHDID (on a mcg/m 2 basis at a maternal inhalation dose of 400 mcg/kg/day).

Pediatric Use SPIRIVA HANDIHALER is not indicated for use in children. The safety and effectiveness of SPIRIVA HANDIHALER in pediatric patients have not been established.

SPIRIVA HANDIHALER is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to tiotropium, ipratropium, or any components of this product. In clinical trials and postmarketing experience with SPIRIVA HANDIHALER, immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema (including swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat), itching, or rash have been reported.

High doses of tiotropium may lead to anticholinergic signs and symptoms. However, there were no systemic anticholinergic adverse effects following a single inhaled dose of up to 282 mcg tiotropium in 6 healthy volunteers. In a study of 12 healthy volunteers, bilateral conjunctivitis and dry mouth were seen following repeated once-daily inhalation of 141 mcg of tiotropium.

Treatment of overdosage consists of discontinuation of SPIRIVA HANDIHALER together with institution of appropriate symptomatic and/or supportive therapy. Accidental Ingestion Acute intoxication by inadvertent oral ingestion of SPIRIVA capsules is unlikely since it is not well-absorbed systemically. A case of overdose has been reported from postmarketing experience.

A female patient was reported to have inhaled 30 capsules over a 2.5 day period, and developed altered mental status, tremors, abdominal pain, and severe constipation. The patient was hospitalized, SPIRIVA HANDIHALER was discontinued, and the constipation was treated with an enema. The patient recovered and was discharged on the same day.