If you look closely at it you will see that the smaller end has a black spot it's really small. The spot is where the needle has to get hit by the needle for the powder. It took me years before I spotted it after many failures.

Hi I also use the Respimat version and find it very good, I am not a pensioner but I get it from chemist warehouse for $30 instead of $80

I use Spiriva every morning, I chose it above all the others they had me on, and just quit using others, the reason being..... stop and think.....if you are using powder and wet inhalers....all I can see is a muddy mess in the lungs. Now this is just me, and my opinion. but seems like my breathing is much better on just the one inhaler. And yes I have had problems with empty capsules, I have had several in one script. I didn't notice and looked again to see if the capsule has a smaller end, my eyes must be bad, they look the same to me...Have a breathe easy day.

You shouldn't feel the mist in your mouth. For one thing, it's really too misty for you to feel it (look at the test sprays you do to be sure it's working correctly), and secondly you're supposed to start your inhale as soon as you hit the release. Be sure your head is angled so there's a clear path to your throat and down. That helps. I did notice a taste the first few times I used it, but not any more.

Keep it in a dry place....powder inside. Look at the capsule and I put the side that goes over the other, down in holder. It stopped some of the problem with inhaling. Seems to work nicely.