neobookRx
DrugsLevel 4 LocalisationS4INJEML

Poractant Alfa

Natural surfactantSurfactant

Indications

Registered South African indications:

  • Respiratory distress syndrome

Cautions

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients

Cautions

  • Very low birth weight infants

Adult dosage

Not indicated for use in adults

Paediatric dosage

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

Respiratory distress syndrome
-Hyaline membrane disease in premature newborns with birth weight >700g

  • Endotracheal (sus): 100-200mg/kg immediately; Repeat if needed: 100mg/kg, 12hrly; Max: 300-400mg/kg/24hrs
Weight
Initial dose
Repeat dose
Weight
Initial dose
Repeat dose
g
ml
ml
g
ml
ml
600-650
1.6
0.80
1301-1350
3.3
1.65
651-700
1.7
0.85
1351-1400
3.5
1.75
701-750
1.8
0.90
1401-1450
3.6
1.80
751-800
2.0
1.00
1451-1500
6.7
1.85
801-850
2.1
1.05
1501-1550
3.8
1.90
851-900
2.2
1.10
1551-1600
4.0
2.00
901-950
2.3
1.15
1601-1650
4.1
2.05
951-1000
2.5
1.25
1651-1700
4.2
2.10
1001-1050
2.6
1.30
1701-1750
4.3
2.15
1051-1100
2.7
1.35
1751-1800
4.5
2.25
1101-1150
2.8
1.40
1801-1850
4.6
2.30
1151-1200
3.0
1.50
1951-1900
4.7
2.35
1201-1250
3.1
1.55
1901-1950
4.8
2.40
1251-1300
3.2
1.60
1951-2000
5.0
2.50

Administer the suspension as a single bolus directly into lower trachea via endotracheal tube

 Instillation should be followed by 1 minute of manual ventilation

Prophylaxis of Respiratory Distress Syndrome
-Hyaline membrane disease in premature newborns (24-31 weeks gestational age)

  • Endotracheal (sus): 100-200mg/kg immediately; Repeat if needed: 100mg/kg, 6-12hrs later then 12hrly thereafter; Max: 300-400mg/kg/24hrs
Weight
Initial dose
Repeat dose
Weight
Initial dose
Repeat dose
g
ml
ml
g
ml
ml
600-650
1.6
0.80
1301-1350
3.3
1.65
651-700
1.7
0.85
1351-1400
3.5
1.75
701-750
1.8
0.90
1401-1450
3.6
1.80
751-800
2.0
1.00
1451-1500
6.7
1.85
801-850
2.1
1.05
1501-1550
3.8
1.90
851-900
2.2
1.10
1551-1600
4.0
2.00
901-950
2.3
1.15
1601-1650
4.1
2.05
951-1000
2.5
1.25
1651-1700
4.2
2.10
1001-1050
2.6
1.30
1701-1750
4.3
2.15
1051-1100
2.7
1.35
1751-1800
4.5
2.25
1101-1150
2.8
1.40
1801-1850
4.6
2.30
1151-1200
3.0
1.50
1951-1900
4.7
2.35
1201-1250
3.1
1.55
1901-1950
4.8
2.40
1251-1300
3.2
1.60
1951-2000
5.0
2.50

Administer the suspension as a single bolus directly into lower trachea via endotracheal tube

Instillation should be followed by 1 minute of manual ventilation

Special populations

Pregnancy

  • Not indicated for use in adults

Breastfeeding

Renal Impairment

Hepatic Impairment

 Elderly

Porphyria Information

Drugs in Sport

  • Permitted - No warnings

Adverse reactions

Central Nervous System Disorders

  • Intracranial haemorrhage
  • Transient decrease in brain electrical activity

Cardiovascular Disorders

  • Bradycardia
  • Hypotension

Respiratory Disorders

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • Pneumothorax
  • Pulmonary haemorrhage
  • Hyperoxia
  • Neonatal cyanosis
  • Apnoea

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

  • Sepsis

Interactions

  • Agents that cause bradycardia

Monitoring

  • Vital signs
  • Blood gas analysis

Mechanism of action

Poractant alfa is a natural surfactant sourced from porcine lungs 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.

Dosage forms

  • Injection

Formulation

Injection (per 1.5ml) 120mg

  • Curosurf (Safeline) originator

Injection (per 3ml) 240mg

  • Curosurf (Safeline) originator 

References

1. SmPC: Curosurf, Chiesi Limited: Last updated on eMC: 28 Jun 2018; Downloaded online 22 feb 2019 [https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/21421] 2. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B0xnChtF7vducEZYdlFwWUVqZ3M (09/2014_Safeline_Curosurf_all) 3. U2D: Poractant alfa: Drug information; Uptodate; Downloaded online 22 Feb 2019 [https://www.uptodate.com/contents/poractant-alfa-pediatric-drug-information?source=see_link] 4. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B0xnChtF7vducEZYdlFwWUVqZ3M (curosurf dosing table) 5. NAPOS The Drug Database for Acute Porphyria: R07AA02 Natural phospholipids; Downloaded online 22 Feb 2019 [http://www.drugs-porphyria.org/languages/UnitedKingdom/s3.php?l=gbr&atc_code=R07AA02] 6. South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport: Curosurf; Accessed online 22 Feb 2019 [http://www.drugfreesport.org.za/online-medication-check/]

Brands & products

2 products · stale NAPPI snapshot · refreshed 5/28/2026 · 159 days old

injectionGeneric· 2 products

from R4755.60/unit
ProductStrengthPackSchedSEPUnitDisp feeNAPPI
Curosurf 3ml vial240 mg/3ml3S4R14266.79R4755.60R991.45703493003
Curosurf vial 1.5ml120 mg/1.5ml1S4R7247.45R7247.45R609.78876054009
Trade names (1)
  • Curosurf

Medical aid coverage

data not yet integrated
Discovery Health
not yet integrated
  • Comprehensive Series—
  • Executive Plan—
  • KeyCare Series—
  • Priority Series—
  • Saver Series—

Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.

Bonitas Medical Fund
not yet integrated
  • BonClassic—
  • BonComprehensive—
  • BonEssential—
  • BonFit Select—
  • BonSave—
  • BonStart—

Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.

GEMS — Government Employees Medical Scheme
not yet integrated
  • Beryl—
  • Emerald—
  • Onyx—
  • Ruby—
  • Sapphire—
  • Tanzanite One—

Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.

POLMED — Police Medical Aid Scheme
not yet integrated
  • Aquarium Option—
  • Efficiency Option—
  • Marine Option—

Formulary scraper pending — coverage tier, co-pay and authorisation requirements will appear here once data is ingested.

NeoHealth® ID 16664 · updated 10/15/2022