title: Long-acting β-adrenoceptor agonists in the management of COPD: focus on indacaterol.
abstract: Bronchodilators are the cornerstone of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment to improve airflow, symptoms, exercise tolerance, and exacerbations. There is convincing evidence that regular treatment with long-acting bronchodilators is more effective and convenient than treatment with short-acting bronchodilators. Long-acting β-2-agonists include the twice-daily drugs formoterol and salmeterol and, more recently, once-daily indacaterol. Studies with head-to-head comparisons of long-acting bronchodilators are scant, but novel data from controlled trials with the once-daily β(2)-agonist indacaterol indicate superior bronchodilation and clinical efficacy of indacaterol at recommended doses over twice-daily long-acting β(2)-agonists, and at least equipotent bronchodilation compared with once-daily tiotropium. The recent therapeutic developments in COPD underscore a shift from short-acting bronchodilators with multiple dosings per day to reduced dosing frequency and prolonged duration of action, including once-daily treatment, with more consistent effects on various clinical outcomes. This review summarizes relevant clinical data for twice-daily β-2-agonists in COPD, and further focuses on novel data for once-daily indacaterol, including head-to-head comparison trials.
authors.affiliation: insaf Respiratory Research Institute, Wiesbaden, Germany.
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beier
authors.forename: Kai M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Beeh
mesh_terms: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D007189:Indans; D015363:Quinolones; C510790:indacaterol