Spiriva and Foradil Capsules Shouldn’t Be Swallowed, FDA Warns
February 29th, 2008 amy
The FDA issued an advisory to healthcare practitioners this morning that patients should be warned not to swallow Spiriva and Foradil capsules, designed to be inhaled through inhalation devices. Used to treat chronic obstructive lung disease, bronchitis and asthma, the drug won’t work properly if ingested rather than inhaled.
The National Poison Control Center and the FDA have received many reports of patients swallowing Foradil and Spiriva capsules rather than placing the capsules in the inhalation devices, this morning’s public health advisory letter states. Reports of ingestions indicate that few patients experienced side effects from the swallowed capsules.
The FDA’s advisory says doctors, nurses, and pharmacists should discuss with patients how to correctly use the Spiriva HandiHaler or Foradil Aerolizer. If a patient who is prescribed Spiriva or Foradil does not experience breathing improvement, the health care provider should ask the patient if he or she is swallowing the medicine rather than inhaling it. Patients should also be instructed to remove the capsules from their blister packages before placing the intact capsule into the inhalation device.
