Spiriva Weight Gain Side Effects (Page 5)
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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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136

I don't and neither does my pulmonologist. The other inhalers all contain a steroid or are only a steroid, which is known to cause weight gain.

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135

Does anyone know of an alternative inhaler that doesn't have this weight gain problem ?

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134

I also take spiriva and have major stomach issues. My stomach is always bloated to the point I hate to eat and suffer so much when I do. Nothing helps this. The bloating is so severe that it interferes with my breathing. I'm gonna stop the spiriva n see if it helps with the stomach issues.

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133

Thank you for the telephone number, I have been taking it for about three weeks and my stomach is swollen as well. I am hoping that it will go down because I am only taking it a short time.

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132

I was taking Spiriva for only 2 weeks and gained 3 kgs in that time. All around the stomach and feeling bloated. So glad I found this site and to know I am not alone.

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131

Wish we could help, but we're all in the same boat. So far no one has found a viable solution to the weight problem except basically a "starvation" diet and/or exercising like race horses. Even then it doesn't work all that much to get the weight down.

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130

The exact same problem has happened to me
In only 12 mths I have gained weight in the abdomen only
Please help.

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129

ME TOO! I've always been s very small person. I've turned into a blimp. I've gone on s lie carb diet . Nothing! I look 12 months pregnant!

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128

The drug companies continue to deny that they've ever heard of the problem! Many people on this forum have contacted them, my pulmonologist and primary care physician have contacted them, and who knows how many other physicians, yet they still continue to say they never heard of the problem. However, early on one representative I spoke to kind of spilled the beans - she said there was no way it would cause weight gain as it was formulated as an alternative to steroids which are known to cause weight gain. Before I could ask a follow-up question she abruptly hung up!

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127

I just went back on Spiriva 1 week ago and have gained 4 lbs, in the mid-section.
Does the drug company have any studies on this?

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126

I think you're on the wrong forum! The discussion here is about an emphysema medication, an inhaler called Spiriva.

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125

I have been using Eritel 40 mg for the last 6 years. My BP is under control. I have not stopped the medicine in a single day. I doubt the contious use of this medicine will make side effects. Can you give me advice?

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124

I have been taking Spiriva for 6yrs and also can't lose the belly fat even with diet and exercise. I am wondering if it could be an age thing too. Your metabolism slows as you age and it's just harder to lose weight. I am 56 how old are you?

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123

I have Bean taking Spiriva for 5 years and have also gained a lot of weight. Cannot lose this weight tried everything all In midsection

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122

Hello fellow sufferers, I am so glad I came across this forum. Having suffered for months and months with this enlarged stomach I am not alone. I would never ever have known it's either the spariva or symbicort that has done this to me and also to you all. Just wondering if any of you experience bad muscle pain on the sides of your stomach heading towards your back. I just hope something is done about this. We are suffering with COPD isn't that enough.

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121

Of course they never heard of it - in a pig's eye! Many people on this forum have notified them, my primary care physician talked to them, and my pulmonologist talked to them. One of the people I spoke to did slip, however, which explains why they don't acknowledge the problem. She said that the weight gain couldn't be from the Spiriva because it was formulated to be an alternative to the steroid inhalers which are known to cause weight gain. When I asked her to elaborate, all of a sudden I was disconnected.

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120

I have been on Spiriva for almost 10 yrs and I can tell you without a doubt that there has been weight gain all in the midsection, extreme bloating and a stomach that looks so pregnant it's pathetic. The bloat has increased over the years...it started below the navel and continued through the years to where it now pushes up on the diaphragm..the distention has actually made the stomach itself bloat. So I can't breathe because of the COPD and asthma but this you know is causing me undue stress on my lack of air. Whatever is happening to me is absurd...I look absurd. Everyday looking at least 8 months pregnant...exhausted lugging this big old gut around. The abdomen actually is weighted...very heavy....like the entire abdomen has sucked in every ounce of water and holds onto it.

Recently called Boehringer Ingelheim the pharmaceutical company and I did register this complaint...I asked the intake nurse if this was ever reported before and she said no ....I told her that I knew that was what she was going to say because others in this chat room said that happened to them when they called and reported these reactions and asked if anyone else reported it they were told no. I have had it checked out with the gastro Doctor and I passed all his evaluations... My pulmonogist isn't aware of this side effect nor is my cardiologist who I see for Afib and Aflutter ......these arrhythmias started 2 years after being on Spiriva. I'm a female, age 73 ....lung function 33% ...On oxygen support 24/7 ...drug sensitive. The meds I'm taking are: Cardizem, Ranexa, Eliquis, Lasix, spiriva, ventolin, asthmanex.

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119

I know what you mean! I'm 75 and have been fighting the Spiriva weight gain for almost three years, ever since I was diagnosed with emphysema. My pulmonologist believed me about the weight gain, especially after he asked his other patients about it and they confirmed that they had gained weight on the Spiriva with no changed in diet or exercise. Most of them had not made the connection before, however, just like most of the people who found this forum. Anyway, he tried me on Symbicort but I had an anaphylactic reaction to it so I'm right back on Spiriva as he doesn't want to take chances on another anaphylactic reaction with another unknown inhaler, and Spiriva is working for me other than the weight gain. I've been on essentially a diabetic diet (I'm not diabetic or even pre-diabetic) and exercise three days a week, and have managed to lose a few pounds but at least I haven't gained any more, but it's hard work.

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118

I have seen a nutritionist, cardiologist, internist, and two gastroenterologists, so I don't Doctor shop as it implies. I was just desperate to find why I had weight gain in my stomach. The pulmonologist has me on spiriva and inhalers for COPD. I use oxygen at night. I researched every conceivable thing except spiriva. Am intolerant of ad air, cymbicort. Seems I am stuck since I need help to breathe! Am 84, active but have been limited for more than a few years. I naturally happened upon this site and so glad I did.

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117

As far as I know from my prior contact with two clinics and research on the web, the criteria are your age, other serious medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, how far the disease has progressed, what prior treatment has been tried, and your pulmonologist's recommendation. However, after I looked into it I felt that the potential risks far outweighed the possible benefits. Here are the risks: autoimmune reaction, cancer, and infection. Then there's the unknown to consider. I discussed it with my pulmonologist and he agreed - and would not recommend it until it is no longer experimental but proven and given full FDA approval. Talk to your pulmonologist; that's the recommendation you should follow, not the word of anyone in this forum, including me. I just gave an opinion based on your question but your pulmonologist knows you better than anyone and that's where you should look for answers to any other questions you may have.

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