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indacaterol vs salmeterol

Side-by-side comparison of indacaterol and salmeterol Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
indacaterol Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA)
salmeterol Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA)
Type
indacaterol Prescription
salmeterol Prescription
Summary
indacaterol

UTIBRON NEOHALER is a medicine that helps people with COPD breathe easier. It contains two medicines that work together to open up your airways.

salmeterol

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol MDPI is a combination medicine used to control asthma. It contains a steroid to reduce swelling and a long-acting bronchodilator to open airways.

What It Treats
indacaterol

UTIBRON NEOHALER is used long-term to treat airflow blockage caused by COPD. COPD is a chronic lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. This medicine helps to open your airways so you can breathe easier. It is not for sudden breathing problems.

salmeterol

This medicine treats asthma in adults and children 12 years and older. It is for people whose asthma is not well-controlled with other medicines. It can also be used when a long-acting bronchodilator and steroid are needed to control asthma.

How It Works
indacaterol

UTIBRON NEOHALER has two medicines. Indacaterol opens airways by relaxing airway muscles. Glycopyrrolate reduces airway tightening. Together, they help you breathe easier.

salmeterol

Fluticasone propionate, a steroid, lowers inflammation in your lungs. Salmeterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA). It relaxes airway muscles to help you breathe easier.

Common Side Effects
indacaterol
  • Common cold symptoms (nasopharyngitis)
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
salmeterol
  • Nasopharyngitis (common cold)
  • Oral candidiasis (thrush)
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Back pain
FAERS Reports
indacaterol

No adverse event reports.

salmeterol

No adverse event reports.

Serious Warnings
indacaterol

LABA medicines like UTIBRON NEOHALER can raise the risk of asthma-related death. Because of this risk, you should not take this medication if you have asthma. Do not use UTIBRON NEOHALER to treat sudden COPD symptoms. Do not use with other LABA medicines.

salmeterol

LABA medicines like salmeterol can raise the risk of serious asthma problems. Do not use this medicine to relieve sudden asthma symptoms. Always have a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. Do not use this medicine with other LABA medicines.

Pregnancy
indacaterol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if UTIBRON NEOHALER will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine while pregnant.

salmeterol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine during pregnancy.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This indacaterol vs salmeterol Comparison

indacaterol is classified in the Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) drug class, while salmeterol sits within the Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (LABA) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, indacaterol has 0 submissions while salmeterol has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between indacaterol and salmeterol — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.