Indacaterol

Indacaterol is a bronchodilator belonging to the group of ultra-long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonists (ULABA).‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​ It is approved as a powder inhalation for the maintenance therapy of airway obstruction in adults with COPD. In combination with mometasone furoate, indacaterol is used for maintenance therapy of asthma. The onset of action is rapid and lasts 24 hours. Therefore, indacaterol needs to be inhaled only once daily. The most common possible adverse effects include nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, headache, and muscle spasms. Indacaterol (ATC R03AC18) has bronchospasmolytic properties. It is an ultra-long-acting, beta-2-specific sympathomimetic with a relaxing effect on bronchial smooth muscle. The onset of action is rapid, within 5 minutes, and lasts for a prolonged period of 24 hours. Indacaterol has a comparably rapid onset of action to salbutamol, but at the same time a significantly longer duration of action. Unlike the also long-acting LABAs salmeterol or formoterol, it only needs to be inhaled once daily. Mechanism of action of beta-2 sympathomimetics, click to enlarge. Illustration © PharmaWiki