Indacaterol is a novel, ultra-long-acting, (2)-adrenoceptor agonist developed for Novartis for the once-daily treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) under the trade name Onbrez on November 30, 2009, and by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the trade name Arcapta Neohaler, on July 1, 2011. Indacaterol is provided as a pure R-enantiomer, typically as the salt indacaterol maleate.
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
Mechanism of Action of Indacaterol
Indacaterol works by stimulating adrenergic beta-2 receptors in the smooth muscle of the airways. This causes relaxation of the muscle, thereby increasing the diameter of the airways, which become constricted in asthma and COPD. It is also long acting due to its high affinity to the lipid raft domains in the airway membrane so it slowly dissociates from the receptors. Indacaterol also has a high intrinsic efficacy so it is also very rapid acting – onset of action occurs within 5 minutes. The pharmacological effects of beta2-adrenoceptor agonist drugs, including indacaterol, are at least in part attributable to stimulation of intracellular adenyl cyclase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-3’, 5’-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic monophosphate). Increased cyclic AMP levels cause relaxation of the bronchial smooth muscle. In vitro studies have shown that indacaterol has more than 24-fold greater agonist activity at beta2-receptors compared to beta1-receptors and 20-fold greater agonist activity compared to beta3-receptors. This selectivity profile is similar to formoterol. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown.
Indications of Indacaterol
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Bronchiectasis
- Bronchospasm Prophylaxis
- Bronchial asthma,
- Chronic bronchitis,
- Chronic bronchopulmonary disorders
- Airflow obstruction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
- Chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.
- indicated for maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- indicated for maintenance bronchodilator treatment of airflow obstruction in adult patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Contra-Indications of Indacaterol
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Low amount of potassium in the blood
- Diabetes
- Ketoacidosis
- Excess Body Acid
- Low amount of potassium in the blood
- High blood pressure
- Diminished blood flow through arteries of the Heart
- Prolonged QT interval on EKG
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Abnormal EKG with QT changes from Birth
- Kidney disease with the reduction in kidney function
- Seizures
- Paradoxical bronchospasm
- Allergies to – Beta-Adrenergic Agents
Dosage of Indacaterol
Strengths: 75 mcg
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – Maintenance
1 inhalation (75 mcg) orally once a day
Side Effects of Indacaterol
The most common
- Arm, back, or jaw pain
- Chest pain or tightness
- dry mouth
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- stomach pain or cramping
- diarrhea
- a headache
- dizziness
- confusion
- stomach pain;
- back pain, joint or muscle pain.
- problems with your vision (including color vision);
- sudden chest pain or trouble breathing;
- pain or swelling in one or both legs;
- a migraine headache;
- pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or
- feeling like you might pass out.
More common
- Abdominal or stomach pain, discomfort, or tenderness
- chills or fever
- difficulty with moving
- a headache, severe and throbbing
- joint or back pain
- muscle aching or cramping
- muscle pains or stiffness
- chest pressure or squeezing pain in the chest
- discomfort in arms, shoulders, neck or upper back
- excessive sweating
- feeling of heaviness, pain, warmth and/or swelling in a leg or in the pelvis
- sudden tingling or coldness in an arm or leg
- sudden slow or difficult speech
- sudden drowsiness or need to sleep
- fast breathing
- sharp pain when taking a deep breath
- fast or slow heartbeat
- coughing up blood
- rust colored urine
- decreased amount of urine
Rare
- Anxiety
- change in vision
- chest pain or tightness
- confusion
- a cough
- Agitation
- arm, back, or jaw pain
- blurred vision
- chest pain or discomfort
- convulsions
- extra heartbeats
- fainting
- hallucinations
- a headache
- irritability
- lightheadedness
- mood or mental changes
- muscle pain or cramps
- muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
- nervousness
Drug Interactions of Indacaterol
Indacaterol may interact with the following drugs, supplements & may change the efficacy of drugs
- antihistamines (e.g, cetirizine, doxylamine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, loratadine)
- antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
- beta 2 agonists (e.g., salbutamol, formoterol, terbutaline)
- beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., atenolol, propranolol, sotalol)
- long-acting beta agonists (e.g., indacaterol, salmeterol)
- citalopram
- decongestant cold medications (e.g., phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine)
- decongestant eye drops and nose sprays (e.g., naphazoline, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline)
- oral steroids such as prednisone, dexamethasone methylprednisolone, and others
- diuretics (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorthiazide)
- domperidone
- escitalopram
- ipratropium
- macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin)
- methadone
- mirabegron
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs; e.g., moclobemide, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine)
- narcotics (e.g., codeine, morphine, oxycodone)
- quinolone antibiotics (e.g., levofloxacin moxifloxacin ofloxacin)
- serotonin antagonists (anti-emetic medications; e.g., ondansetron granisetron, )
- theophyllines (e.g., aminophylline, oxtriphylline, theophylline)
- thiazide diuretics (water pills; e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, metolazone)
- tolterodine
- topiramate
- tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, trimipramine)
- aminophylline
- theophylline
Pregnancy Catagory of Indacaterol
FDA Pregnancy Category C
Pregnancy
Indacaterol falls into category C. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with indacaterol. But in animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.
Lactation
It is not known if indacaterol crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication.
References
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