Beractant

Registered South African indications:

• Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

Contraindications

• No information available

Cautions

• Bradycardia
• Severe hypotension

Not indicated for use in adults

Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: sus

Respiratory distress syndrome
- Prophylaxis in premature newborns (<32 weeks gestational age)

• Endotracheal (sus): 100mg/kg immediately; Repeat if needed at intervals of at least 6hrs; Max: 4 doses/48hrs

 Prophylaxis: 1st dose should be administered as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 15 minutes _1,2

Allow the drug to warm at room temperature for 20 minutes or warm in hands for 8 minutes prior to administration

For method of administration, see additional prescribing points

Respiratory Distress Syndrome
-Hyaline membrane disease in premature newborns with birth weight >700g

• Endotracheal (sus): 100mg/kg immediately: Repeat if needed at intervals of at least 6hrs; Max: 4 doses/48hrs

Administered early in the course of RDS (preferably < 8 hrs of age)

Allow the drug to warm at room temperature for 20 minutes or warm in hands for 8 minutes prior to administration

For method of administration, see additional prescribing points

Pregnancy

• Not applicable
• Not indicated for use in adults

Breastfeeding

• Not indicated for use in adults

Renal Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended 

 Elderly

• Not indicated for use in geriatric patients

Porphyria Information

• Not yet classified (NC) 

Drugs in Sport

• Permitted - No warnings

Central Nervous System Disorders

• Intracranial haemorrhage

Respiratory Disorders

• Pulmonary haemorrhage
• Blockage of endotracheal tube by mucous secretions

No information available

• Vital signs
• Blood gas analysis

Administration

Administer the suspension as 2 half-does or 4 quarter-doses directly into lower trachea via endotracheal tube with the infant in different positions.

Instillation should be followed by 30 seconds of manual ventilation.

For two half-doses, the recommended positions are:

• With infant supine, the head and body turned approximately 45° to the right.
• With infant supine, the head and body turned approximately 45° to the left

For Four quarter-doses, the recommended positions are:

• Right Lateral Position with the head lowered
• Left Lateral Position with the head lowered
• Right Lateral Position with head elevated
• Left Lateral Position with head elevated

Beractant is a natural surfactant containing mainly phospholipids and proteins. It acts by lining the internal surface of the lungs and decreasing the alveolar surface tension. This supports respiratory function by preventing collapse at end-expiration so that adequate gas exchange is maintained throughout the ventilatory cycle.

Injection (per ml) 25mg

• Survanta (AbbVie) originator