Paula Says:
Spiriva Weight Gain Side Effects (Page 3)
Updated
William Says:
I've talked about this problem before concerning the side effects from Spiriva. The only side effect I've experienced was a sudden, and seemingly permanent weight gain. In spite of efforts to lose the weight I've had no success whatsoever. I've gained weight from other medications in the past only to lose it when the medication was discontinued. Not so with Spiriva. It has been almost three years since I've used the inhaler but yet the added weight persists. I should mention that all of the added weight has been on the midsection and nowhere else! To make matters worse has been a disended abdomen to go along with it. I contacted the drug company right after it happened and, naturally, they acted as if it was new to them! I'm not the only one this has happened to. Although a rare side effect it has been a problem for others, the same as mine. This thing is ruining lives, and should be pulled from the market. It won't be though...profits are the name of this terrible game. Bill.
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I've only used spiriva for about two weeks. I've gained 12 lbs and have abdominal pains and diarrhea for the past week. My breathing seems to be worse right after I use the inhaler. I see my doctor next week for a follow up. I was diagnosed with emphysema and my pft is 89 without inhaler and 92 with.
I'm so frustrated I'm ready to give up. The doctor said to not stop using the spiriva
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Skip Says:
Hello, I just fund this forum 20 minutes ago. Have been on Symbicort, 2 puffs/day morning and night since September and have gained an ungodly amount of weight. Hasn't helped my symptoms much. Saw doc today and he started me on Spiriva in addition to the Symbicort. I have only had one dose-- today in doc office-- but feel as if my breathing has improved already. Thought maybe this was he miracle I have been praying for and now very discouraged to read here that if anything, the spiriva may accelerate my weight gain even more! But maybe worth it to breathe easier? I am so lost...
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anonymous Says:
I have only been on this for 3 days and have noticed the abdomen swelling. Very noticeable to me as I have been a special diet and exercising daily to lose the weight I needed to lower my cholesterol and reverse fatty liver disease. I have been so successful with my diet etc. I am thrilled....and then this. I told my husband within 24 hours...something is up with this stuff...I feel bloated and I feel starving all the time. I was still making good food choices but I was gaining weight like I was eating bags and bags of chips and gallons of ice cream. So glad I found this thread No more of this crap for me! I guess I am going to have to up my game to get rid of what has been put on me, I hope I can lose it...sort of depressing reading all these posts
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Melissa Craig Says:
I have been on Spirva for 3 and a half years and have an astounding 90 pound weight gain, I follow a strict 1000 calorie diet and I exercise. I was a runner up until i started taking the Spriva. When I have tried to talk to my doctor and my pharmacist they say it that must be in my head, because there is NOTHING in the medication that would cause weight gain, and it is not listed as a side effect. I feel as if I am getting no where. i am only 42 years old but I think the weight gain is going to be the death of me before the COPD.
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Skip Says:
Melissa, I have only been on the med for 7 months but your story is scaring me to death. Both my doc and my pharmacist say the exact thing as yours: there is nothing in Spiriva that would cause or contribute to weight gain. I am tempted to discontinue it as my pulmonologist has me on Symbicort too, and he says that there is clinical evidence that it does have an ingredient thqat could cause weight gain. I don't know which one to discontinue. Thoughts?
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Melissa Craig Says:
well, I have only been on Spiriva and I have the weight gain, I know I need the med to thrive but the weight gain is disconcerting since I get no validation from my doctor.
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Judith Says:
And you will get no validation from your doctor or the drug company. Nobody is admitting it except those of us who have the problem. I posted awhile back that I think it's the bromide portion of the tiotropium bromide that is causing the weight gain. My neighbor's dog is being treated with potassium bromide for epilepsy and her vet told her to be careful and watch the dog's diet because it causes weight gain. Seems too much of a coincidence to deny, doesn't it?
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Skip Says:
OK Group, What is the collective opinion on which medication is worse for weight gain: Spiriva or Symbicort? If I stick with one and drop one for weight gain reasons, which one should be dropped?
Don't worry, I know that you guys aren't doctors or chemists, I am just interested in patients' opinion and experience.
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Judith Says:
Well, the lady I met in the rest room who told me to google Spiriva and weight loss (which led me to this site) had been using Symbicort for a few months after switching from Spiriva because of the weight gain. She still had a few pounds to go but she had not gained any more since taking the Symbicort. That's all I know about it.
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Peta Says:
I am also taking symbicort twice daily and spiriva once daily since being diagnosed with severe copd,I have gained a massive 20kg in 13 months, but my abdomen by the end of each day looks like I'm 8 months pregnant, but I can't determine from which inhaler this problem is coming from. maybe both?
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jules Says:
I stopped spiriva one month ago after taking it for one year or so my upper abdomen is now deformed and I have gained 15 pounds only in my abdomen. I also have unbelievable gas and my bowel movements are no longer regular. since stopping spiriva I feel much better and have no shortness of breath. But I do not smoke. I am a small person but went from a size 4 pants to a size 10. I do not eat very much and never touch sweets. I know that it was the spiriva that caused this and I am hoping the distended abdomen will go away. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow and hoping she can do something about my abdomen. it is really embarrassing my abdomen is bigger than my breasts. I am going on a cruise next week and forget about wearing a swimsuit. Seriously this is unbelievable that a medication can do this. I better be able to get back to my size and shape. I seriously have doubts that this medication did anything for me other than the weight gain
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Shay Says:
Hi Jules,
Please share what your Dr says when you tell him/her that you believe it was Spireva that caused your weight gain. I would love to hear if there's a Dr anywhere who can explain how this drug can cause the abdomen extension. There are many of us who have experienced the same effects but no one seems to have any answers.
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Melissa Craig Says:
I was told out right from the doctor it could not be the spirivia because it is not a side effect, which is the only thing I take
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Skip Says:
I echo the shout out to all members of the chat board to contribute what you know about Spiriva, Symbicort, and weight gain, esp. in the abdominal area. I too experienced the exact same thing others describe but thought it was completely coincidental as I had no prior information about this as a side effect. The prescribing physican, a pulmonologist, didn't mention it and neither did the side effect literature dispensed with the Spiriva. Unfortunately I DO feel that Spiriva relieves my COPD symptoms much better than Symbicort so I am in a quandary: is the symptom relief worth the weight gain? Where will the weight gain stop? Can I tread a thin line by taking it maybe 3-4 times a week instead of daily? What a dilemma...
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Judith Says:
It might be helpful if you referred your doctor to this site. I told my pulmonologist about it and simply told him to google Spiriva & weight gain. He did, found this site, and no longer argues with me. However, we're afraid to change the med as Spiriva works for my breathing and I had an anaphylactic reaction to another inhaler.
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Skip Says:
RT,
No I'm not sure at all. See my earlier post regarding trying to decide between Symbicort and Spiriva as regards to weight gain. Several people contributed opinion that Spiriva has a worse track record for causing weight gain but of course no one knows for certain which is the preferable medication.
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Melissa Craig Says:
RT, I do not take symbicort, only spiriva, and I have had a huge weight gain over three years.
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nancy Says:
I have been wondering about mid section weight gain with the use of Spiriva...I cannot get rid of this abdomen weight no matter how hard I try. I have tried calorie counting, weight loss programs and still, the abdomen remains with a bloated look
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Judith Says:
That's the problem that everyone posting here is having. Some have overcome it but sacrifice so much of life's enjoyment to do it that I, for one, won't go that far. As it is I'm on a 1000-1200 calorie diet and exercise on the treadmill at least 20 minutes a day at 2-3 mph at least 6 times a week now (can't go faster - hip/knee arthritis hurts too much if I do). I've managed to stay steady and not gain anything over the past year, but I'm only down by 4 pounds. And the drug company denies all knowledge of the problem even though many of us on this forum have called and told them about it!
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