Indacaterol

Indacaterol is a bronchodilator belonging to the class 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 the maintenance therapy of asthma. The onset of action is rapid and lasts 24 hours. Indacaterol therefore only needs to be inhaled 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-selective sympathomimetic with a relaxing effect on bronchial smooth muscle. The onset of action is rapid, within 5 minutes, and persists for 24 hours. Indacaterol has a comparably rapid onset of action to salbutamol, while also having a significantly longer duration of action. Unlike the similarly 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