# Spiriva box says ''Do Not Swallow..." What happens if one does ?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiriva-box-says-do-not-swallow-what-happens-if-one-does/642214>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 26, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiriva-box-says-do-not-swallow-what-happens-if-one-does/642214 "2012-11-26T23:27:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiriva-box-says-do-not-swallow-what-happens-if-one-does/642214/1 "2012-11-26T23:27:28Z")

</div>

The Spiriva (tiotropium bromide inhalation power) box says “Do Not Swallow Spiriva Capsules” in at least five places. The package insert has the same warning in several more places.

It would not be difficult to inadvertently swallow the capsule during a period of absentmindedness or distraction.

Nowhere can I find what happens if one does swallow the capsule.

Have you any idea what would happen if one swallows the capsule?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiriva-box-says-do-not-swallow-what-happens-if-one-does/642214/2 "2012-11-26T23:30:22Z")

</div>

“The most common side effect with SPIRIVA is dry mouth.” So, that would be awkward.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiriva-box-says-do-not-swallow-what-happens-if-one-does/642214/3 "2012-11-26T23:36:05Z")

</div>

The Wiki article says it’s not as effective if absorbed that way and may have additional (unspecified) side effects.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiriva-box-says-do-not-swallow-what-happens-if-one-does/642214/4 "2012-11-26T23:37:57Z")

</div>

Apparently nothing really happens, but they want people to take the medicine in the way that will be effective.

From the [prescribing information (10)](http://bidocs.boehringer-ingelheim.com/BIWebAccess/ViewServlet.ser?docBase=renetnt&folderPath=/Prescribing+Information/PIs/Spiriva/Spiriva.pdf)

> [@](#):
>
> Acute intoxication by inadvertent oral ingestion of SPIRIVA capsules is unlikely since it is not well-absorbed systemically.

The FDA issued a [warning](http://firstwatch.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2008/303/1) because people weren’t benefiting from the medication if they took it orally, however

> [@](#):
>
> Although mistaken ingestion of the tablets is apparently common, the agency said few patients have experienced side effects.