Braltus (Tiotropium Bromide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Braltus Used For?
Braltus contains tiotropium bromide, which belongs to a group of medicines called anticholinergics. It is specifically designed to help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) breathe more easily.
Primary Uses
Braltus is used to make breathing easier for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps improve your condition and prevent exacerbations (periodic worsening of symptoms) from occurring.
How It Works
Braltus improves breathing by relaxing the air passages that carry air to and from the lungs. It begins to act within 30 minutes after use and the effect should last a full day.
Important: Do not use Braltus to treat a sudden attack of breathlessness, wheezing or coughing. You will need a different type of medicine.
How to Take Braltus
Braltus comes as capsules that must be inhaled using the special Zonda device. The capsules should never be swallowed or opened directly.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose for adults is 1 capsule to be inhaled, once a day. One capsule provides the required daily dose of tiotropium (a delivered dose of 10 micrograms of tiotropium). Inhale the powder in the capsules only using the Zonda device. Do not swallow the capsules. Do not place a capsule directly into the mouthpiece. Do not open the capsules. Use the capsules within 60 days of opening the bottle. Braltus should be used about the same time each day.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Important: Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not use Braltus more frequently than once daily.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Dry mouth (usually mild)
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
- Nose bleeds
- Sinusitis
- Sore mouth, gums or throat
- Swollen, red, sore tongue
- Oral thrush
- Hoarse voice
- Cough
- Constipation
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Blurred vision
- Seeing halos around lights or coloured images with red eyes
- High pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Worsening of breathing problems
- Heartburn
- Difficulty passing urine
- Pain while passing urine
- Urinary tract infection
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- Rash, itching or hives
- Changes in heart rate (fast, slow or irregular)
- Palpitations
- Severe stomach pain with bloating, gut cramps and vomiting
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Braltus should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Braltus
Do not use Braltus if you are allergic to tiotropium bromide, or any of the ingredients. Do not use if you are allergic to any medicine containing atropine or its derivatives (e.g. ipratropium or oxitropium), or any other anticholinergic medicines. Do not use if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, or an allergy to milk proteins. Do not give this medicine to children or adolescents (below the age of 18 years).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have or have had: high pressure in the eye (glaucoma), kidney or liver problems, problems with your prostate gland, problems with passing urine, or if you have suffered from a heart attack during the last 6 months or from any unstable or life threatening irregular heart beat or severe heart failure within the past year.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved. Braltus is not generally recommended for use in pregnant women.
Eye Safety: Do not allow the powder to enter into the eyes. Should this occur, immediately flush your eyes with cold tap water for several minutes and immediately consult your doctor for further advice.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Braltus and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking.
Important: You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines affect Braltus.
- Other anticholinergic medicines used to treat COPD such as glycopyrronium
- Aclidinium
- Umeclidinium
- Ipratropium
Alcohol & Driving
Braltus may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Braltus affects you. Braltus may cause dizziness or blurred vision in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep your capsules in the bottle until it is time to use them. Keep your capsules in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep the bottle tightly closed and store in the original package to protect from moisture. Do not store your capsules in the refrigerator or freezer. Use the capsules within 60 days of opening the bottle. Keep it where young children cannot reach it. The Zonda inhaler should not be rinsed with water but may be wiped with a dry cloth or tissue. Discard the Zonda device after 30 uses.
Overdose Information
If you think that you have used too much Braltus, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (In Australia by calling 13 11 26 or in New Zealand by calling 0800 POISON (0800 764 766)), or contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Symptoms of an overdose may include fast or irregular heart beat, blurred vision, nausea, stomach pain, dry mouth, constipation and difficulty passing urine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Braltus begins to act within 30 minutes after use and the effect should last a full day.
No, do not swallow the capsules. The powder in the capsules must only be inhaled using the Zonda device.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Keep your capsules in the bottle until it is time to use them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not store in the refrigerator or freezer. Use within 60 days of opening the bottle.
No, do not use Braltus to treat a sudden attack of breathlessness, wheezing or coughing. You will need a different type of medicine for sudden attacks.
Do not allow the powder to enter your eyes. If this occurs, immediately flush your eyes with cold tap water for several minutes and consult your doctor immediately.
Take Braltus once daily at about the same time each day. Do not use more frequently than once daily.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.