Indacaterol
About
Indacaterol belongs to the class of 'bronchodilators' primarily used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Indacaterol helps to relieve symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. COPD is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes). Indacaterol is not indicated for use in asthma (long-term data in patients with asthma are thus far lacking).
Indacaterol contains 'Indacaterol' a novel and long-acting beta-adrenergic receptor agonist. It relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Indacaterol makes breathing easier by widening the airways. Indacaterol has a rapid onset action.
Your doctor will advise on how often you take Indacaterol based on your medical condition. The common side effects of Indacaterol include nausea, dizziness, palpitations (irregular heartbeat), shakiness (tremor), runny nose, sore throat, headache, and cough. Most of these side effects of Indacaterol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, please seek medical help.
Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. Brief your medical history if you have any heart, liver, kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), seizure (fits), asthma, high blood pressure, and diabetes before taking Indacaterol. Please check with your doctor if you are pregnant or currently breastfeeding before taking Indacaterol. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Indacaterol as it can worsen your dizziness. Indacaterol is not recommended for use in patients younger than 18 years of age.
Uses of Indacaterol
Medicinal Benefits
Indacaterol contains 'Indacaterol' a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist and belongs to the class of 'bronchodilators'. Indacaterol is used to treat breathing difficulties in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Indacaterol helps to relieve coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Indacaterol relaxes the muscles in the airways and increases airflow to the lungs. Indacaterol makes breathing easier by widening the airways.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Indacaterol
- Nausea
- Shakiness (tremor)
- Dizziness
- Palpitations (irregular heartbeat)
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Cough
- Muscle spasm
- Swollen hands, ankles and feet (oedema)
- Pain in muscles, bones or joints
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor beforehand if you have any heart, liver, kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), seizure (fits), high blood pressure, and diabetes before taking Indacaterol. Bronchodilators also cause hypokalaemia (low potassium levels in the blood) in some patients leading to severe heart diseases, so Indacaterol should be cautiously administered. Bronchodilators like Indacaterol can cause a rise in blood glucose levels. Please monitor your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes and inform your doctor so that the dose can be adjusted accordingly. Bronchodilators may also cause rapid and irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes, and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in heart patients. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or a lactating mother before starting Indacaterol. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience dizziness, increased/uneven heart rate, and shakiness while using Indacaterol. Drinking alcohol can worsen your dizziness and affect your mental ability when you are treated with Indacaterol; hence please avoid alcohol consumption. Indacaterol is not recommended in patients younger than 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Indacaterol may interact with other bronchodilators (salmeterol, formoterol), blood pressure-lowering drugs (propranolol), glaucoma medicine (timolol), steroids (prednisolone), water pills (hydrochlorothiazide), and respiratory drugs (theophylline).
Drug-Food Interaction: Limit alcohol intake since it may worsen the side effects like dizziness and shakiness.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Indacaterol is to be cautiously used in heart, liver, kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), seizure (fits), high blood pressure, and diabetes.
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
- Take the medication as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals. Do not use other over-the-counter medications, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your pharmacist or doctor when you take Indacaterol.
- Know your triggers like allergens, such as pollen, dust, and food items that make your asthma severe.
- Quit smoking and avoid passive smoking. Smoking also reduces the effectiveness of the medicine.
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system.
- Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
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 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 it difficult to breathe. The most common COPD 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 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.
Bronchodilators like Indacaterol should be cautiously used only under a doctor's supervision if you have any heart, liver, kidney diseases, hypokalaemia, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), seizure (fits), high blood pressure, and diabetes.
