Spiolto Respimat

NHS Senior Clinical Pharmacist, Irsalan Ahmed (MPharm) provides a simple explanation of the medication below:

'Spiolto contains 2 ingredients, an anticholinergic and a bronchodilator, used as a long-term treatment in COPD by dilating the airways'.

If you think Spiolto Respimat is a treatment that can help you, start an online consultation now for a registered prescriber to review. If treatment is deemed suitable, they can prescribe it, and we can deliver it to you from the comfort of your own home with a range of convenient delivery and payment options for you to choose from. If you have any questions about a medication, you should always consult your doctor with any questions prior to starting treatment, to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Spiolto Respimat is a medicine that is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as emphysema and bronchitis.

For more information on the prescription medication patients should refer to the Spiolto Respimat patient information leaflet.

When treating COPD, Spiolto Respimat helps to prevent breathlessness, and works to reduce the number of sudden attacks.

The active ingredient in the medication (a bronchodilator) becomes effectual when taken every day, working to relax the muscles in the lungs and airways, making it easier for air to get in and out.

COPD can be a debilitating illness that hinders daily life, while onset attacks of pain or breathlessness can be painful as well as worrying.

Taking Spiolto Respimat will help to manage these conditions, with the effectiveness of the medicine increasing as you continue taking it every day.

It should be noted however, that this medication is a preventative measure and not a quick fix. If you do have an attack of breathlessness or wheeziness, then you will need to instead use a fast-acting “rescue” inhaler, which you should always have with you.

Spiolto Respimat is a prescription-only medication. Always follow the advice of your doctor and read the patient information leaflet provided in the medication packet.

Your doctor or nurse should show you how to properly use your inhaler before starting on this medication. The inhaler has a mouthpiece at the top, a cap for when it’s not in use and an indicator on the front to let you know how many doses are remaining.

To administer a dose, hold the inhaler upright and turn the clear base (in the direction of the arrows) until you hear a click. Open the cap, breathe out as far as is comfortable, then immediately place the inhaler in your mouth (pointing to the back of your throat) and close your lips around it.

Breathe in deeply and steadily, press the dose-release button on the top of the inhaler and then hold your breath for 10 seconds. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and breathe out slowly. Repeat these steps for the second puff and then close the cap. After use, it’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth, as leftover residue from the medication can leave you with a strange taste, and can also lead to thrush of the mouth or hoarseness.

Spiolto Respimat dosage

Spiolto Respimat contains the active ingredients tiotropium and olodaterol, at a strength of 2.5/2.5 micrograms respectively, per dose.

The recommended dose is two puffs once a day, at approximately the same time because the effects of the medicine lasts for 24 hours. Always follow the advice of your doctor and don’t take a different dose unless specifically told to.

Remember that this medication is a preventative measure, designed to treat long-term COPD illnesses, so it’s important you take it every day and not just when you experience breathing problems.

If you forget to use your Spiolto Respimat then you should skip the forgotten dose and move straight onto the next one. Don’t double up on your dose to make up for a missed one.

If you take more Spiolto Respimat than you should, then contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Side effects of overdose include your heart beating faster than usual, having visual disturbances or a dry mouth.

Before taking Spiolto Respimat, you should always first consult your doctor. You should not take Spiolto Respimat if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are allergic to tiotropium or olodaterol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• if you are allergic to atropine or substances related to it, e.g. ipratropium or oxitropium

Your prescription of Spiolto Respimat may also be affected by a number of other factors, so you should make your doctor aware if any of the following apply:

• if you have asthma (it should not be used to treat this condition)
• if you have diseases of the heart
• if you have high blood pressure
• if you have epilepsy
• if you have a specific thyroid gland problem called thyrotoxicosis
• if you have an abnormal widening of an artery called aneurysm
• if you have diabetes
• if you have severe hepatic impairment
• if you have renal impairment
• in case of a planned surgery
• if you have an eye problem called narrow-angle glaucoma
• if you have prostate problems or have difficulty passing urine.

Like many medications with active ingredients, Spiolto Respimat can affect or be affected by other medicines. Particular medications that you may experience this with include the following:

• any medicines that may be similar to Spiolto Respimat (contain similar active substances)
• medicines called beta blockers that are used for high blood pressure
• medicines that lower the amount of potassium in your blood
• medicines for breathing problems such as theophylline
• medicines to treat neurological or psychiatric disorders like Parkinson’s disease or depression.

If you are taking any of the above medications, then you should make your doctor aware so that they can advise whether or not Spiolto Respimat will be the best course of action for you.

Bear in mind that Spiolto Respimat is an ongoing treatment and should not be relied upon in the event of an attack of breathlessness. You should therefore always have a fast-acting “rescue” inhaler with you, for use in these circumstances.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding then you should consult your doctor before starting this medication, as they may decide that another treatment is more appropriate.

The most common side effects of using Spiolto Respimat include:

• dry mouth
• Dizziness
• difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
• Headache
• high blood pressure, irregular heart beat, faster heart beat
• feeling your heartbeat (palpitations)
• Cough
• Hoarseness
• constipation

If you do experience one or more of these side effects and they persist or worsen, then inform your doctor right away. You should also contact your doctor if you notice any serious side effects such as worsening of breathing ability, rash or swelling of the mouth and face.

You can safely buy Spiolto Respimat online at UK Meds. You will first need to have an online consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Spiolto Respimat is the right medicine for your medical condition.