Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Survanta Intratracheal

Generic Name: beractant (Pronunciation: ber AK tant)

• What is beractant (Survanta Intratracheal)?
• What are the possible side effects of beractant (Survanta Intratracheal)?
• What is the most important information I should know about beractant (Survanta Intratracheal)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before my child receives beractant (Survanta Intratracheal)?
• How is beractant given (Survanta Intratracheal)?
• What happens if my child misses a dose (Survanta Intratracheal)?
• What happens if my child receives an overdose (Survanta Intratracheal)?
• What should be avoided after my child receives beractant (Survanta Intratracheal)?
• What other drugs will affect beractant (Survanta Intratracheal)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is beractant (Survanta Intratracheal)?

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 are the possible side effects of beractant (Survanta Intratracheal)?

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:

• pale skin;
• slow heartbeat;
• breathing that stops;
• urinating less than usual; or
• blood in the urine.

Less serious side effects include:

• noisy breathing;
• feeding or bowel problems; or
• 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.

What is the most important information I should know about beractant (Survanta Intratracheal)?

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.

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