SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007December 26, 2007
24-Hour Bronchodilatation on the Way?
Summary
Indacaterol is a beta-2 agonist being developed by Novartis (Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, online January 20, 2006). The abstract reviewed here is a dose-ranging study of indacaterol. Indacaterol is a chirally pure beta-2 agonist. It is close to a full agonist of the beta-2 adrenoreceptor. The beta-2 selectivity profile is similar to formoterol. Its onset of action (within 30 minutes) is similar to that of formoterol and albuterol, but it has a longer duration of action. In this study, the area underneath the curve of forced expiratory volume in one second was increased 22 to 24 hours post dose. This response, which was seen on day one, persisted on day seven of treatment. The onset of action was seen by five minutes.The doses were well tolerated. The authors concluded that once daily dosing with indacaterol would provide 24-hour bronchodilatation and that its safety profile was satisfactory.
Reference
LaForce C, et al. Indacaterol provides sustained 24-hour bronchodilatation on once daily dosing in asthma: a seven-day dose ranging study.
