Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium bromide and olodaterol) is a brand-name inhalation spray prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. Stiolto Respimat can cause side effects, such as cough and back pain.

Stiolto Respimat can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Stiolto Respimat in clinical trials:

  • runny nose
  • cough (see “Side effect specifics”)
  • back pain

Mild side effects can occur with Stiolto Respimat use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Stiolto Respimat’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Stiolto Respimat include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Stiolto Respimat and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Stiolto Respimat may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Stiolto Respimat’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Stiolto Respimat, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • worsening COPD flare-ups, which may include symptoms such as:
    • difficulty breathing
    • cough
    • chest tightness
    • shortness of breath
  • pneumonia, which may include symptoms such as:
    • cough
    • shortness of breath
    • fever
    • tiredness
  • eye problems (see “Side effect specifics”)
  • urinary problems, which may include symptoms such as:
    • painful urination
    • difficulty passing urine
    • urinating more often than usual
    • urinating in a weak stream or drops
  • paradoxical bronchospasms (sudden shortness of breath)
    • trouble breathing that worsens immediately after using your inhaler
    • coughing
  • heart problems, which may include symptoms such as:
  • low potassium levels
    • muscle weakness
    • abnormal heart rhythm
  • high blood sugar levels
    • lack of energy
    • excessive thirst
    • urinating more often than usual
ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Stiolto Respimat inhalation spray can cause an allergic reaction.

But it’s not clear how often this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Stiolto Respimat inhalation spray, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Learn more about some of the potential side effects of Stiolto Respimat. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Stiolto Respimat.

Cough

Coughing is a common side effect reported in studies of Stiolto Respimat. Coughing is also a symptom of COPD, a condition that Stiolto Respimat is approved to treat. Thus, it may be difficult to determine whether the coughing experienced is due to the medication or COPD.

What you can do

Talk with your doctor or another healthcare professional if the coughing continues, bothers you, or worsens. They may recommend ways to relieve this side effect. They may also consider an alternative medication to manage your condition better.

Eye problems

Although rare, eye problems, including narrow angle glaucoma, have been reported in studies of Stiolto Respimat. Eye problems may cause symptoms such as:

  • blurred vision
  • eye pain or discomfort
  • red eyes
  • seeing colored images around lights

What you can do

Because Stiolto Respimat can cause blurred vision and dizziness, you should be careful when operating machinery, including driving a vehicle. Avoid spraying the inhaler near or in your eye. This will cause blurry vision and your pupils (a part of your eye) to become larger. If you experience any of the above symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional right away.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Stiolto Respimat.

Other precautions

Before taking Stiolto Respimat, discuss your health history with your doctor. Stiolto Respimat may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • asthma
  • sudden symptoms of COPD
  • heart problems
  • high blood pressure
  • seizures
  • thyroid problems
  • diabetes
  • eye problems, such as narrow angle glaucoma
  • prostate or bladder problems, including difficulty passing urine
  • kidney problems
  • previous allergic reaction to this, a similar drug, or atropine (Atropen)
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.