Drug reference

Indacaterol

SABA · Maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Also known as Indacaterol maleate

SABAMaintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseATC R03AC13

CDSCO approvedATC R03AC13

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

12 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

—

not curated

Top interactionssee all 12 →

MoclobemideSevereTextbookG&G 14e · p264
CarteololSevereDatabaseDDInter
CarvedilolSevereDatabaseDDInter
LabetalolSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Indacaterol is an ultra-long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (ultra-LABA) that selectively stimulates beta-2 receptors on airway smooth muscle, activating adenylyl cyclase and increasing intracellular cAMP to produce bronchial smooth muscle relaxation. Its lipophilic side chain anchors the molecule in the cell membrane lipid bilayer adjacent to the beta-2 receptor, providing sustained receptor stimulation for over 24 hours — enabling once-daily dosing, unlike twice-daily salmeterol or formoterol. It has a faster onset of action (5 minutes) than salmeterol.

Indications

Maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCOPD

Dosing

Adult: BY INHALATION OF POWDER: 150 micrograms once daily, then increased to 300 micrograms once daily
Max dose: 300 micrograms once daily

Pharmacokinetics

Onset

fast onset of action

Contraindications

Convulsive disorders

Side effects

Common

Chest paincoughincreased risk of infectionmuscle complaintsoropharyngeal painperipheral oedemaMuscle tremorTachycardiaPalpitations

Serious

Angina pectoris
bronchospasm
skin reactions
sleep disorder
taste altered
Anxiety
QT interval prolongation
Hypokalemia
Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch (fall in arterial oxygen tension)
Metabolic effects (increase in free fatty acid, insulin, glucose, pyruvate, and lactate)
Life-threatening and fatal asthma exacerbations (if used alone in asthma)