Poractant Alfa

Poractant Alfa is a prescription medication used for the treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in premature infants. 

• Poractant Alfa is available under the following different brand names: Curosurf.

Common side effects of Poractant Alfa include:Low blood oxygen levels,

• Froth at the mouth,
• Cough, and
• Sneezing

Serious side effects of Poractant Alfa include:

• Hives,
• Difficulty breathing,
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• Endotracheal tube blockage,
• Chocking,
• Breathing that slows or stops,
• Slow heart rate, and
• Low blood pressure

Rare side effects of Poractant Alfa 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 include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out. 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because 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.

Pediatric dosage

Intratracheal suspension

• 80 mg/mL (1.5mL or 3mL vial)

Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Pediatric dosage

• 2.5 mL/kg birth weight intratracheal, then may repeat up to 2 more times at 1.25 mL/kg approximately every 12 hours in infants for whom RDS is considered responsible for their persisting or deteriorating respiratory status.
• Maximum total dosage (sum of the initial and up to 2 repeat doses): 5 mL/kg

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

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.

• Poractant Alfa has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Poractant Alfa has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Poractant Alfa has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Poractant Alfa 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 healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice or health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• None

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

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

Long-Term Effects

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

Cautions

• Administration of exogenous surfactants can rapidly affect oxygenation and lung compliance; infants should receive frequent clinical and laboratory assessments so that oxygen and ventilatory support can be modified to respond to respiratory changes
• Transient adverse reactions associated with administration include bradycardia, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, and oxygen desaturation.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Not applicable
• Lactation
  • Not applicable