FDA Warns on Mistaken Ingestion of Inhaled Spiriva and Foradil Capsules

Many patients mistakenly swallow tiotropium bromide (Spiriva) and formoterol fumarate (Foradil) inhalation powder capsules, rather than using them in inhaler devices, the FDA warns.

The agency issued a public health advisory recommending that doctors, nurses, and pharmacists tell patients how to use the Spiriva HandiHaler and Foradil Aerolizer for treatment of asthma and COPD. If patients' breathing fails to improve, providers should ask them whether they are swallowing the tablets.

Although mistaken ingestion of the tablets is apparently common, the agency said few patients have experienced side effects.