SPIRIVA HANDIHALER - User Manual

SPIRIVA® HANDIHALER® INHALER
1. Open the dust cap by pressing the
green piercing button.
1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Separate and remove 1 SPIRIVA
capsule from the blister pack by
tearing along the perforation.
Important: Do not use a knife,
scissors, or other sharp implement
to cut the blister pack.
Your clinician has prescribed a medication called SPIRIVA that comes in a
HANDIHALER inhaler. It is important that you know how to use SPIRIVA HANDIHALER
so that you can take your medication correctly and breathe better.
To open the HANDIHALER inhaler, complete these steps:
To load a SPIRIVA capsule in the HANDIHALER inhaler, complete these steps:
How to Use Your SPIRIVA®
HANDIHALER® Inhaler
2. Pull the dust cap up and away
from the base. You should see the
mouthpiece.
3. Pull the mouthpiece up and away
from the base. You should see the
center chamber.
3. Bend back the corner of the blister
pack that has an arrow, and then
remove the cover layer to expose
the SPIRIVA capsule. Each blister
pack contains 1 SPIRIVA capsule.
Important: If you accidentally
open more than one blister pack,
do not use the other capsules.
Discard them properly.
4. Insert the SPIRIVA capsule in
the center chamber of the
HANDIHALER inhaler.
5. Close the mouthpiece over the
base until you hear a click. Leave
the dust cap open.
6. Hold the HANDIHALER inhaler in
your hand with the mouthpiece
facing up.
7. Press the green piercing button
ONCE. Important: Do not press
the green piercing button more
than once. The piercing button
punctures the SPIRIVA capsule and
releases the powdered medicine
that you will inhale.
DRY-POWDER INHALER

Summary

How to Use Your SPIRIVA HANDIHALER Inhaler

Opening the HANDIHALER Inhaler

Instructions for opening the SPIRIVA HANDIHALER inhaler by pressing the green button and removing caps.

Loading a SPIRIVA Capsule

Steps to load a SPIRIVA capsule into the HANDIHALER, including capsule preparation and insertion.

Taking Your Dose of SPIRIVA

Inhaling SPIRIVA Medication

Guide to inhaling SPIRIVA medication correctly, including breathing techniques and holding breath.

Post-Inhalation Steps

Procedures after inhaling SPIRIVA, such as removing the capsule, cleaning, and storing the inhaler.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Opening the HANDIHALER Inhaler
4. Loading a SPIRIVA Capsule
5. Taking a Dose of SPIRIVA
6. Post-Dose Actions
7. Maintenance Features

The SPIRIVA® HANDIHALER® Inhaler is a dry-powder inhaler designed for the administration of SPIRIVA medication, which comes in capsule form. This device is intended for patients who have been prescribed SPIRIVA by their clinician to help them breathe better. Proper use of the HANDIHALER is crucial for effective medication delivery.

Function Description:

The primary function of the SPIRIVA HANDIHALER is to deliver a powdered form of SPIRIVA medication from a capsule directly into the patient's lungs. It achieves this by allowing the user to load a single SPIRIVA capsule into a central chamber, which is then pierced by a button-activated mechanism. This piercing action releases the powdered medicine, making it available for inhalation. The design ensures that the medication is inhaled deeply and effectively, providing the intended therapeutic benefit. The device is designed for single-capsule use per dose, with each capsule providing a full dose of SPIRIVA.

Usage Features:

Opening the HANDIHALER Inhaler:

To begin, the user must open the device. This involves a two-step process:

1. Open the Dust Cap: Locate the green piercing button and press it. This action releases the dust cap.
2. Pull Up Dust Cap and Mouthpiece: Once the dust cap is released, pull it up and away from the base of the inhaler. This reveals the mouthpiece. Subsequently, pull the mouthpiece up and away from the base to expose the central chamber where the SPIRIVA capsule will be placed.

Loading a SPIRIVA Capsule:

Careful handling of the SPIRIVA capsule is essential to ensure proper medication delivery.

1. Hand Hygiene: Before handling the capsule, thoroughly wash your hands to maintain cleanliness and prevent contamination.
2. Capsule Removal from Blister Pack: SPIRIVA capsules are supplied in blister packs. To remove a single capsule, tear along the perforation of the blister pack. It is crucial to avoid using sharp implements like knives or scissors to cut the blister pack, as this could damage the capsule or compromise its integrity.
3. Exposing the Capsule: Each blister pack has an arrow indicating a corner. Bend back this corner to remove the cover layer, which exposes the SPIRIVA capsule. Each blister pack contains one SPIRIVA capsule. If, by accident, more than one blister pack is opened, the additional capsules should not be used and must be discarded properly to prevent wastage or improper dosing.
4. Inserting the Capsule: Gently insert the SPIRIVA capsule into the center chamber of the HANDIHALER inhaler. Ensure it sits properly within the chamber.
5. Closing the Mouthpiece: After inserting the capsule, close the mouthpiece over the base of the inhaler. You should hear an audible "click," indicating that it is securely closed. The dust cap should remain open at this stage.
6. Positioning for Piercing: Hold the HANDIHALER inhaler in your hand with the mouthpiece facing upwards.
7. Piercing the Capsule: Press the green piercing button ONCE. It is critical not to press the button more than once. This action punctures the SPIRIVA capsule, releasing the powdered medicine for inhalation.

Taking a Dose of SPIRIVA:

The inhalation technique is vital for ensuring the full dose of medication reaches the lungs.

1. Posture: Sit up straight or stand upright. It is important not to shake the HANDIHALER device during this process, as it could dislodge the powder.
2. Exhale Away from Inhaler: Hold the inhaler away from your face and breathe out completely. Crucially, do not blow into the inhaler, as this could disperse the powder or introduce moisture.
3. Lip Placement: Place the mouthpiece between your lips and close your lips tightly around it, creating a seal.
4. Inhalation: Take one long, steady, and deep breath through your mouth and the inhaler. Breathe in fast and deep. During this inhalation, you should be able to hear the SPIRIVA capsule vibrating inside the inhaler, which confirms that the medication is being released.
5. Remove from Lips: After inhaling, remove the inhaler from between your lips.
6. Hold Breath: Hold your breath for 10 seconds, or for as long as you comfortably can. This allows the medication to settle in the lungs.
7. Exhale Slowly: Breathe out slowly.
8. Second Inhalation: To ensure the full dose of SPIRIVA is received, repeat steps 1-7. However, do not press the green piercing button again for the second inhalation. Each SPIRIVA capsule should be inhaled twice from the HANDIHALER inhaler to ensure complete delivery of the medication.

Post-Dose Actions:

After completing the dose, proper disposal and storage are necessary.

1. Remove Empty Capsule: Pull up on the mouthpiece to open the device. Allow the empty SPIRIVA capsule to fall into a trash can. It is important not to touch the empty capsule.
2. Remove Residual Powder: Hold the HANDIHALER upside down and gently tap it to remove any residual SPIRIVA powder.
3. Close Mouthpiece: Close the mouthpiece securely.
4. Close Dust Cap and Store: Close the dust cap and store the SPIRIVA HANDIHALER until the next scheduled dose.

Maintenance Features:

The manual does not explicitly detail cleaning or specific maintenance instructions beyond removing residual powder. However, general good practices for device maintenance can be inferred:

• Keep Dry: As a dry-powder inhaler, it is crucial to keep the device dry to prevent clumping of the medication.
• Store Properly: Store the HANDIHALER in a clean, dry place, away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, as indicated by closing the dust cap after use.
• Handle with Care: The device should be handled gently to avoid damage to its components, especially the piercing mechanism and mouthpiece.
• Keep Out of Reach: All medications and the SPIRIVA HANDIHALER should be kept out of the reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion or misuse.

The SPIRIVA HANDIHALER is designed for ease of use and effective delivery of SPIRIVA medication, emphasizing precise steps for opening, loading, inhaling, and post-use handling to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes.

SPIRIVA HANDIHALER Specifications

General

Active Ingredient	Tiotropium Bromide
Delivery Method	Inhalation
Device Type	Dry Powder Inhaler
Manufacturer	Boehringer Ingelheim
Dosage Form	Powder for inhalation
Indication	Maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Strength	18 mcg