Trade names Onbrez, Arcapta ATC code R03AC18 (WHO) | Routes ofadministration Inhalation Molar mass 392.49 g/mol | |
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AHFS/Drugs.com International Drug Names License data EU EMA: OnbrezUS FDA: Indacaterol Pregnancycategory US: C (Risk not ruled out) | ||
Indacaterol (INN) is an ultra-long-acting beta-adrenoceptor agonist developed by Novartis. It was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) under the trade name Onbrez Breezhaler on November 30, 2009, and by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the trade name Arcapta Neohaler, on July 1, 2011. It needs to be taken only once a day, unlike the related drugs formoterol and salmeterol. It is licensed only for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (long-term data in patients with asthma are thus far lacking). It is delivered as an aerosol formulation through a dry powder inhaler.
Clinical trials
A Phase III trial published in March 2010 examined the efficacy and safety of indacaterol in COPD patients. This study, conducted in the U.S., New Zealand, and Belgium, compared indacaterol dry-powder inhaler to placebo in 416 COPD patients, mostly moderate to severe (mean FEV1 of 1.5 L). Indacaterol produced statistically improved FEV1 (both trough and AUC) and decreased use of rescue medication compared to placebo, but with safety and tolerability similar to those of placebo.
A year-long, placebo-controlled trial published in July 2010 suggests indacaterol may be significantly more effective than twice-daily formoterol in improving FEV1. There were some reductions in the need for rescue medication, but these were not significantly different; nor was there any difference in the rate of exacerbation between the 2 active treatments.
A study published in October, 2011 in the European Respiratory Journal compared indacaterol with tiotropium over the study period of 12 weeks. The study found no statistical difference between the effects of the two drugs on FEV1. Indacaterol yielded greater improvements in transition dyspnoea index (TDI) total score and St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score.
A recent Cochrane Library meta-analysis indicates that the clinical benefit in lung function from indacaterol is at least as good as that seen with twice-daily long-acting beta2-agonists.