Anticholinergics are drugs that act as bronchodilators of the bronchi or large airways. They are designed to prevent the bronchi from constricting to allow freer breathing. Anticholinergics may be used to treat conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. They are broken into two classes: short-acting and long-acting anticholinergics. Short-acting anticholinergics include the brand name drug Atrovent. Spiriva is a brand of long-acting anticholinergic.
Rare, Serious Side Effects
Rare, serious side effects of short-acting anticholinergics, the Mayo Clinic reports, include facial swelling that may include the eyelids and lips, continual constipation, a rash, pain in the lower abdomen, hives, bloating, severe pain in the eyes, fainting, heart palpitations, tachycardia or a rapid heartbeat, an irregular heartbeat called an arrhythmia, wheezing, chest tightness and breathing difficulties. Consult a physician immediately if you experience these conditions.
Rare, serious side effects of long-acting anticholinergics may include fainting, palpitations, arrhythmia, swollen spots or patches on the genitals, face, tongue, lips, legs, hands, feet, eyelids or throat. Non-serious, short-term effects may include bladder pain, voice loss or changes, a runny nose, sneezing, hoarseness, pain in the lower back and others similar to short-acting anticholinergics.
Other Serious Side Effects
Tiotropium is a long-acting anticholinergic drug sold as Spiriva. Spiriva also may produce serious and non-serious side effects when taken. More common serious side effects may include pain in the jaw, back or arm, sweating, shortness of breath, discomfort or pain in the chest, nausea, arrhythmia and tachycardia. Less common serious side effects include wheezing, abnormal tiredness, coughing, swallowing difficulties, abnormal weakness, dizziness, blisters that cause pain and facial or mouth swelling. The Mayo Clinic does not report any serious side effects from short-acting anticholinergics other than the rare ones listed above.
Non-Serious Side Effects
Atrovent, or generically ipratropium, is a short-acting anticholinergic that may produce temporary, non-serious side effects that will disappear as you continue treatment. The more common of these are an unpleasant taste, coughing or dry mouth. Rare or less common temporary side effects may include an acidic stomach, nasal congestion, belching, pain in the muscles, pain in the bladder, voice loss, appetite loss, urine that is cloudy or contains blood, congestion of the ears, dizziness, indigestion, a fever, nausea, nervousness and vomiting, among others.
Non-serious side effects from long-acting anticholinergics are similar to those of the short-acting type. They also include blurry vision, discouragement, nosebleeds, difficult or painful urination, increased thirst and hunger, nausea, tingling or numbing sensations, irritability, unexplained weight loss, difficulty concentrating, pain in the legs, increased blood cholesterol and patches of white on the tongue or in the mouth.
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