Ultibro Breezhaler is a medicine that contains two active substances, indacaterol (85 micrograms) and glycopyrronium (43 micrograms). It is used as maintenance (regular) treatment to relieve symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. COPD is a long-term disease in which the airways and air sacs inside the lungs become damaged or blocked, leading to difficulty breathing air in and out of the lungs.
The active substances in Ultibro Breezhaler, indacaterol and glycopyrronium, work in different ways to widen the airways and improve breathing in COPD.
Indacaterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist. It works by attaching to beta-2-adrenergic receptors found in the muscles of many organs including the airways of the lungs. When inhaled, indacaterol reaches the receptors in the airways and activates them. This causes the muscles of the airways to relax.
Glycopyrronium is a muscarinic-receptor antagonist. It works by blocking some receptors called muscarinic receptors, which control the contraction of muscles. When glycopyrronium is inhaled, it causes the muscles of the airways to relax.
The combined action of the two active substances helps to keep the airways open and allows the patient to breathe more easily. Muscarinic receptor antagonists and long-acting beta-2-adrenergic agonists are commonly combined in the management of COPD.