Beractant

Beractant is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of respiratory distress syndrome  (RDS) in premature babies. 

• Beractant is available under the following different brand names: Survanta

Pediatric dosage

Intratracheal suspension

• 25 mg /mL

Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Pediatric dosage

Premature neonates

• Prophylaxis: 100 mg phospholipids/kg (4 mL/kg) intratracheal within 15 min of birth; may administer 4 doses during the first 48 hours of life not more frequently than every 6 hours
• Treatment: If RDS is confirmed by x-ray, administer 100 mg phospholipids/kg (4 mL/kg) intratracheal within 8 hours of birth; may administer 4 doses during the first 48 hours of life no more frequent than every 6 hours

Administration

• Inject each dose into the catheter over 2-3 seconds
• Each dose is instilled as 4 quarter-doses, with the body in different positions to assure adequate distribution, allowing 30 seconds of ventilation between positions

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Beractant include:

• noisy breathing,
• feeding or bowel problems, and
• bleeding around the endotracheal tube

Serious side effects of Beractant include:

• pale skin,
• slow heartbeat,
• breathing that stops,
• less urination, and
• blood in the urine

Rare side effects of Beractant include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Beractant has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Beractant has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Beractant has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Beractant has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• None listed by the manufacturer 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Beractant?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Beractant?”

Cautions

• For endotracheal administration only
• Rales, moist breathing sounds may occur normally with administration
• An infant may exhibit bradycardia & cyanosis
• Do not chill & thaw more than once; single-use vials
• Lung oxygenation may improve rapidly, which in turn will require adjustments in oxygen delivery and ventilator settings
• Administer only in a highly supervised clinical setting with immediate availability of clinicians experienced in intubation and ventilatory management of premature infants

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Not applicable.
• Lactation
  • Not applicable