What it means
A long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator (LAMA) used every day to control COPDsee-oh-pee-dee (said as letters)Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to move air out of the lungs.chronic long-lastingobstructive blockingpulmon/o lung-ary relating toFull entry and, in some cases, asthma. It is for prevention, not for rescue in a sudden attack. It comes as a dry-powder capsule used with a HandiHaler device or as a soft-mist Respimat inhaler.
For the nurse
Teach that HandiHaler capsules go in the device, never swallowed, and that a fast-acting inhaler is still needed for sudden breathlessness. Report eye pain or blurred vision, or trouble passing urine.
At a glance
| Drug class | anticholinergic bronchodilator (long-acting muscarinic antagonist) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Spiriva HandiHaler, Spiriva Respimat |
| Also written | Spiriva, Spiriva HandiHaler, Spiriva Respimat |
Related terms
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to move air out of the lungs.
inhalation
Breathing in; also, a way of giving a drug as a mist or powder that is breathed into the lungs.
ipratropium
An inhaled drug that opens the airways by blocking the nerve signals that tighten them.