Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Spiriva as follows:
- Spiriva use can result in elevated heart rate and consequent high blood pressure. Individuals with history of hypertension can be at increased risk for grossly elevated heart rate and high blood pressure with Spiriva. Closely follow for signs and symptoms of elevated blood pressure, such as, headache, fatigue, nosebleeds, episodes of confusion, diminishing vision, chest pain, palpitations, and pounding in the chest and neck. Report any such findings to your physician immediately, so that, an alternative plan of care could be considered. Observe compliance with antihypertensive medications prescribed, if any. Observe compliance with recording and log maintenance of everyday blood pressure numbers, which can help for an easy follow-up and reporting of numbers consistently out of the normal parameters.
- Spiriva use can result in relaxation of smooth muscle of bladder and contraction of urinary sphincter, which leads to increased urinary retention and increased difficulty passing urine. Retention of urine in the bladder can increase the chances for urinary tract infection, especially in senior citizens and individuals with history of multiple UTIs. Individuals can present with fever, chills, rigors, burning sensation of the urethra, pain during act of urination, and foul smell of urine. Report to your physician regarding any of these symptoms for any change in plan of care to be considered.
