Indacaterol in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an update for clinicians

Bronchodilation is the cornerstone of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management and is based on regular treatment with one or more long-acting β(2) agonists (LABAs). A novel bronchodilator, indacaterol, satisfies the requirements of an efficacious LABA: it has a relatively longer duration of action compared with existing LABAs and a fast onset of action. This review is a presentation of data on indacaterol with respect to its molecular characteristics as well as comparisons with other long-acting bronchodilators. Data from 12 relevant trials show that once-daily indacaterol provides significant, consistent and clinically important improvements in lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), significant improvements in breathlessness and health status at least as good as or better than tiotropium, salmeterol and formoterol, and reduction in requirement for relief medication compared with tiotropium, salmeterol and formoterol.