Amin M

J Respir 1Indo. 2012; 32(4):250-4

Abstract

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterised by progressive airflow limitation. According to Global Initiative forChronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), bronchodilators are the mainstay of therapy. The role of LABAs in the treatment of stable COPD, including bronchodilation and reduced air trapping resulting in improved lung function and exercise tolerance, improved quality of life and symptoms, and reduced exacerbations. Inhaled long-acting ß2-agonists (LABAs), such as formoterol and salmeterol have been used for the treatment of COPD since the late 1990s but they have a limited duration of action. There has been greatly increased interest in COPD by researchers and the pharmaceutical industry for the discovery of new treatments . Novel ultralong-acting ß -agonists with a 24-hour duration, the once-daily dosing, is an important strategy in improving compliance. Additionally, they demonstrate fast onset of action, and a safety profile comparable to current LABAs. In four large (n > 400), randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre phase III trials, patients with COPD who received indacaterol 150 μg or 300 μg once daily had a significantly higher mean through forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV ) than placebo recipients after 12 weeks.

Keywords: bronchodilator, ultra-LABA, indacaterol.

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