beractant

Generic Name: beractant (ber AK tant)

Brand Names: Survanta Intratracheal

What is beractant?

Beractant is made from animal lung extract and contains fatty acids and proteins. It works by reducing the surface tension of fluids inside the human lung to keep the lung from collapsing.

Beractant is used to treat or prevent respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in newborn infants.

Beractant may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about beractant?

Beractant is given within minutes or hours after the infant is born. The medication must be given in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a specialized setting for premature babies or newborns who need special care.

Your child will require special care in the hospital during treatment with beractant. Talk with your doctor about any special instructions for handling the infant and watching for side effects while beractant is given.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on feeding or other medications after your child has been treated with beractant.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before my child receives beractant?

Your child will require special care in the hospital during treatment for RDS. Talk with your doctor about any special instructions for handling the infant and watching for side effects while beractant is given.

How is beractant given?

Beractant is given within minutes or hours after the infant is born. The medication must be given in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a specialized setting for premature babies or newborns who need special care.

This medication is given through an endotracheal (en-doe-TRAY-kee-al) tube. This is a flexible plastic tube placed in the infant's mouth and passed down into the airway. A doctor will insert the tube using a scope to see the inside of the airway while guiding the tube into place.

Beractant is usually given every 6 hours.

To make sure this medication is helping your child's condition and is not causing any harmful effects, your child's lung function will need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine how long to continue treatment with beractant. Your child may also need blood tests.

What happens if my child misses a dose?

Since beractant is given by healthcare professionals in a hospital setting, it is not likely that your child will miss a dose.

What happens if my child receives an overdose?

Overdose with beractant has not been reported. Because this medication is given by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that your child will receive an overdose.

What should be avoided after my child receives beractant?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on feeding or other medications after your child has been treated with beractant.

Beractant side effects

Get emergency medical help if your child has any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your child's caregivers at once if the child has any of these serious side effects:

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  pale skin;

  
  


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  slow heartbeat;

  
  


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  breathing that stops;

  
  


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  urinating less than usual; or

  
  


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  blood in the urine.

  
  

Less serious side effects include:

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  noisy breathing;

  
  


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  feeding or bowel problems; or

  
  


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  bleeding around the endotracheal tube.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Beractant Dosing Information

Usual Pediatric Dose for Respiratory Distress Syndrome:

>48 hours of life: Safety and efficacy have not been established.

What other drugs will affect beractant?

There may be other drugs that can interact with beractant. However, your child's care providers will be aware of all medications used in your child's treatment. It is not likely that your child will be given other medications that will interact with beractant.

More beractant resources

• Beractant Side Effects (in more detail)
• Beractant Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Beractant Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Beractant - Add your own review/rating

• Beractant Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Beractant Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Beractant

Compare beractant with other medications

• Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about beractant.

See also: beractant side effects (in more detail)