Stiolto Respimat

Introduction

Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on July 26, 2023

Stiolto Respimat (sti-OL-to- RES peh mat) is a brand-name medication prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. Stiolto Respimat belongs to a group of drugs called anticholinergic/long-acting beta2-agonist combination inhalers.

Common questions about Stiolto Respimat

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Stiolto Respimat.

How does Stiolto Respimat work? And how long does it take to start working?

Stiolto Respimat contains two active drugs called tiotropium and olodaterol. (An active drug is what makes a medication work). Each drug works differently to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):

• Tiotropium is an anticholinergic drug. It works by blocking a chemical called acetylcholine that usually tells certain muscles, including those in your lungs, to tighten. Tiotropium helps prevent muscle tightening, which keeps your airways open.
• Olodaterol is a type of drug called a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA). It works by relaxing muscles in your airways, allowing air to flow through them more freely.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What alternatives are available for Stiolto Respimat?

There are other drugs approved to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) besides Stiolto Respimat. Some alternatives to Stiolto Respimat for COPD include:

• fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (Advair)
• umeclidinium/vilanterol (Anoro)
• fluticasone furoate/vilanterol trifenatate (Breo)
• budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort)

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you’d like to learn more about alternatives to Stiolto Respimat.

How do I use Stiolto Respimat?

Stiolto Respimat comes as an inhaler. It creates a fine mist that you inhale. When you first start treatment with Stiolto Respimat, your pharmacist or doctor will show you how to use the medication.

To view step-by-step instructions on how to use Stiolto Respimat, including a video guide, see the drug manufacturer’s website. You can also check out this quick-start guide.

Is there a generic available for Stiolto Respimat?

No, there currently isn’t a generic available for Stiolto Respimat. A generic version may become available in the future.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have questions about whether a generic version is available for medications you take.

Can I use albuterol with Stiolto Respimat?

Yes, it’s generally safe to use albuterol with Stiolto Respimat. These drugs aren’t known to interact with one another.

In fact, doctors often prescribe albuterol together with Stiolto Respimat. Albuterol is often prescribed as a rescue inhaler that’s used to treat sudden shortness of breath you may experience due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). On the other hand, Stiolto Respimat is an inhaler you’ll take every day regardless of your symptoms. It works over time to help stop COPD from worsening.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have more questions about using albuterol with Stiolto Respimat.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Stiolto Respimat for certain conditions. Approved uses for Stiolto Respimat are described below.

Use for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Doctors may prescribe Stiolto Respimat for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

COPD is a disease that affects your lungs. With COPD, your airways become narrow and damaged, which makes it hard to breathe. You may also feel tired and out of breath. Some other symptoms include wheezing and a cough with phlegm (mucus).

There’s no cure for COPD. But using a long-term treatment, such as Stiolto Respimat, can help slow COPD from worsening.

Doctors may not prescribe Stiolto Respimat in certain situations, such as to treat a flare-up (sudden worsening) of COPD. Stiolto Respimat also isn’t used to treat asthma.

Side effects of Stiolto Respimat

Stiolto Respimat may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Stiolto Respimat and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Stiolto Respimat’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Stiolto Respimat listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with Stiolto Respimat are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Stiolto Respimat’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for the drug in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Stiolto Respimat’s mild side effects include:

• runny nose
• a cough
• back pain
• dizziness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Stiolto Respimat” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Stiolto Respimat are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Stiolto Respimat’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for the drug in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, Stiolto Respimat’s serious side effects include:

• heart problems, including high blood pressure
• high blood sugar level
• new or worsening eye problems, including narrow angle glaucoma
• new or worsening urinary retention (inability to empty your bladder completely)
• low potassium level
• paradoxical bronchospasm (unexpected coughing and difficulty breathing after taking a Stiolto dose)
• pneumonia
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Stiolto Respimat” section.

Interactions and warnings for Stiolto Respimat

Below, you’ll find information about Stiolto Respimat’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Stiolto Respimat

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you use Stiolto Respimat, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Stiolto Respimat” section below.

Warnings for Stiolto Respimat

Some people should not use Stiolto Respimat, and others should use it cautiously.

Stiolto Respimat could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Stiolto Respimat is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Stiolto Respimat, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Stiolto Respimat can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Stiolto Respimat or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Stiolto Respimat. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Stiolto Respimat, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of Stiolto Respimat

If you inhale Stiolto Respimat, you should not inhale more Stiolto Respimat than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much Stiolto Respimat, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Stiolto Respimat

Information about Stiolto Respimat and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Stiolto Respimat and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Stiolto Respimat should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Stiolto Respimat and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Stiolto Respimat should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about Stiolto Respimat or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Does my health history raise my risk of side effects from taking Stiolto?
• Does Stiolto interact with any medical conditions I have?
• If I change my lifestyle or diet while taking Stiolto, should I let you know?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?
• How does Stiolto compare with other treatments for COPD?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium bromide and olodaterol inhalation spray), for oral inhalation use. (2021). https://content.boehringer-ingelheim.com/DAM/7fe8a4a7-9ed3-41ef-a565-af1e0120af14/stiolto%20respimat-us-pi.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.