Spiriva capsules for inhalation contain the active ingredient, Tiotropium 18mcg and are used for the long-term treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other pulmonary diseases such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
COPD is a lung disease that becomes progressively worse over time and treatment is targeted at relieving symptoms such as chronic cough, sputum (mucus) production, wheezing and breathing difficulties.
Tiotropium blocks the action of acetylcholine in the lungs that causes bronchospasm. The result is that the smooth muscle in the bronchi is relaxed to relieve the bronchospasm that causes the symptoms. Spiriva capsules do not cure COPD but help to relieve the symptoms of the disease.