Indacaterol
About Indacaterol
Indacaterol is an inhaled prescription medication used for the long-term maintenance treatment of airflow obstruction in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Its primary medical purpose is to keep the airways in your lungs relaxed and open, which makes it easier for you to breathe on a daily basis. It is a long-term controller medication and should not be used as a rescue treatment for sudden, severe breathing attacks.
To achieve the best results, you must take this medicine consistently once every day, at the same time each day. Because the medicine is inhaled directly into your lungs, it can be taken with or without food. Combining your daily inhalation with positive lifestyle adjustments, such as quitting smoking and participating in doctor-approved light exercise, can significantly support your overall lung health and the effectiveness of your treatment.
While taking Indacaterol, some people may experience mild side effects, such as a temporary cough right after inhalation, throat irritation, or a mild headache. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects, such as chest pain, a rapid or pounding heartbeat, or sudden difficulty breathing right after using your inhaler.
Talk to your doctor before starting this medicine if you have certain pre-existing health conditions. Do not take this if you have asthma and are not already using a long-term asthma controller medication, as using this class of medicine alone for asthma can be dangerous. It should also not be used by anyone with a known severe allergy to the medicine or its ingredients.
This medicine can interact with other treatments, such as certain blood pressure medications called beta-blockers, which can cause your airways to tighten and block the effects of your inhaler. Always consult your doctor if you belong to specific user groups, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, or elderly individuals with a history of heart conditions, to ensure this treatment is safe for your situation.
Uses of Indacaterol
Medicinal Benefits
Using Indacaterol regularly brings real-world relief to your daily life by targeting the root cause of airway constriction. The main benefits include:
- 24-Hour Continuous Relief: A single daily inhalation works continuously for a full day and night, preventing breathing difficulties before they start.
- Improved Daily Activity Levels: By reducing shortness of breath, this medicine helps you perform everyday tasks, like walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries, with less effort.
- Reduced Risk of Sudden Flare-ups: Consistent, daily use helps stabilise your lung function, reducing the frequency of severe COPD symptoms that might otherwise require emergency care.
Directions for Use
- It is advised to use Indacaterol once daily; however, follow your doctor's recommendation regarding the dosage and duration.
- Place the capsule in the inhaler device. Hold the inhaler with the mouthpiece facing downwards. Form a tight seal by placing your lips around the mouthpiece. Start breathing slowly with your mouth and push down the inhaler once. Remove the inhaler and breathe normally.
- After inhalation, rinse your mouth with water and spit out to prevent a mouth infection.
Storage
Side Effects of Indacaterol
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- A dry or tickly cough immediately after inhaling the powder
- Runny or stuffy nose, or a mild sore throat
- Mild headache
- Muscle cramps or spasms
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Sudden, severe chest tightness, wheezing, or trouble breathing immediately after using the inhaler
- A fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Severe dizziness, shakiness, or fainting
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Drug Warnings
- Do not swallow capsules: These capsules are designed strictly for inhalation through your dry powder device. Swallowing them whole will not provide any medical benefit.
- Do not use for sudden attacks: This is a maintenance controller medicine. Always keep your quick-relief rescue inhaler with you to treat sudden shortness of breath.
- Monitor your breathing right after use: If you experience sudden wheezing or tightness in your chest immediately after inhaling, stop using this medicine and seek emergency medical care.
- Use only one long-acting bronchodilator: Do not use other daily long-acting bronchodilators unless your doctor has specifically instructed you to do so.
Drug Interactions
- Beta-blockers: Blood pressure or heart medications (like propranolol) can block the action of Indacaterol, causing your airways to narrow suddenly.
- Diuretics (water pills): Combining these medicines can lower your blood potassium levels, which may increase the risk of irregular heart rhythms.
- Other long-acting bronchodilators: Using similar inhaled medicines together can increase the risk of heart-related side effects.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid drinking alcohol while taking Indacaterol as it can worsen your side effects like dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionIndacaterol is a pregnancy category C drug. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant before starting Indacaterol.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is limited data on how Indacaterol affects breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before starting Indacaterol if you are a lactating mother.
Driving
cautionDo not drive or operate machinery if you experience dizziness, increased/uneven heart rate and shakiness while using Indacaterol.
Liver
cautionIndacaterol should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases or hepatic impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Indacaterol.
Kidney
cautionIndacaterol should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Indacaterol.
Children
unsafeIndacaterol is not recommended for anyone younger than 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid tobacco smoke: Quitting smoking is the single most effective way to slow down lung damage and help your daily inhaler work efficiently. Avoid environments with secondhand smoke.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help thin the mucus in your airways, making it easier to clear your lungs.
- Practice breathing exercises: Techniques like pursed-lip breathing can help you control your breathing and reduce panic during mild episodes of shortness of breath.
- Protect yourself from cold air: Very cold, dry air can cause sudden airway spasms. Wear a scarf over your mouth and nose when outdoors in cold weather.
- Eat smaller, frequent meals: Large meals can bloat your stomach and press against your diaphragm, making it harder to breathe. Opt for smaller, nutrient-dense meals instead.
Special Advise
- Indacaterol is for use only in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and not to treat asthma.
- Indacaterol is not a rescue medicine, so it will not work fast enough to treat a bronchospasm attack.
- Do not take capsule form by mouth, and it should be used only in the Neohaler device.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make breathing difficult. The most common COPD symptoms are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Emphysema: It is a lung condition that causes shortness of breath due to damaged air sacs (alveoli).
Chronic Bronchitis: A lung disease associated with inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs.
FAQs
Indacaterol is used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It helps relieve symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.
Indacaterol contains Indacaterol, a bronchodilator. Indacaterol treats breathing problems in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by relaxing the airway's muscles and increasing airflow to the lungs.
Bronchodilators like Indacaterol may cause central nervous system stimulation; hence Indacaterol is cautiously recommended for use in seizures/fits as it might worsen your condition.
Bronchodilators like Indacaterol can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Hence monitor your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes and inform your doctor so that the dose can be adjusted accordingly. Your diabetologist may adjust your insulin dose or prescribe alternate diabetic medication based on your condition.
You may experience headaches and shakiness after using Indacaterol. Drink plenty of water and take rest to manage your headache. Shakiness goes away gradually. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist longer.
Indacaterol can cause hypokalaemia in some patients leading to cardiovascular effects. Please consult your doctor before taking Indacaterol if you are a hypokalaemia patient or more susceptible to it.
Bronchodilators like Indacaterol may cause rapid and irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. Please seek medical advice before using Indacaterol if you are heart disease patient.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
No, you must never swallow the capsules. They are designed only to be placed inside the inhaler device, pierced, and inhaled. Swallowing them will not help your breathing. Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty using the device.
No, Indacaterol is not a rescue inhaler and should not be used for sudden breathing attacks. It works slowly to keep your airways open over time. Always use your prescribed fast-acting rescue inhaler for sudden breathing crises. Talk to your doctor for more details.
Coughing right after inhaling the powder is a common, temporary reaction. If the cough is mild and stops quickly, it is generally not a cause for concern. If your cough is severe, painful, or does not go away, talk to your doctor.
The safety of this medicine in pregnant or breastfeeding women has not been fully established. Your doctor will weigh the benefits of keeping your breathing stable against any potential risks to your baby. Talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
This medicine is designed to be used exactly once every day, at the same time. Its effects last for a full 24 hours, so you should not use it more than once a day. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your schedule.
