Effective bronchodilation is an important part of the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and can improve breathlessness and ability to undertake physical activities. Indacaterol is a new once-daily, long-acting inhaled bronchodilator for COPD. We review here the efficacy of indacaterol as a bronchodilator, including its impact upon symptoms and health status. The evidence reviewed comprises four placebo-controlled clinical studies of indacaterol treatment,

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... hree of which included treatment arms with one of the other long-acting inhaled bronchodilators (once-daily tiotropium or twice-daily salmeterol or formoterol), in 4,833 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Indacaterol had a bronchodilator effect significantly greater than formoterol and salmeterol, and similar to tiotropium. Its effect on symptoms and health status was similar or significantly greater than the other bronchodilators. The safety profile was similar to placebo. Once-daily indacaterol is an effective and beneficial maintenance bronchodilator treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe COPD.