Poractant Alfa (1 brand name, 1 dosage form, 1 route)
Available dosage forms: SUSPENSION.
Routes of administration: INTRATRACHEAL.
Brand Names
- CUROSURF
Indications and Usage
CUROSURF® (poractant alfa) Intratracheal Suspension is indicated for the rescue treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. CUROSURF reduces mortality and pneumothoraces associated with RDS.
Dosage and Administration
For intratracheal administration only. CUROSURF should be administered by, or under the supervision of clinicians experienced in intubation, ventilator management, and general care of premature infants. Before administering CUROSURF, assure proper placement and patency of the endotracheal tube. At the discretion of the clinician, the endotracheal tube may be suctioned before administering CUROSURF. Allow the infant to stabilize before proceeding with dosing. Administer CUROSURF either: Intratracheally by instillation in two divided aliquots through a 5 French end-hole catheter or Intratracheally in a single bolus through the secondary lumen of a dual lumen endotracheal tube without interrupting mechanical ventilation.
Contraindications
None.
Warnings and Precautions
The administration of exogenous surfactants, including CUROSURF, can rapidly affect oxygenation and lung compliance. Therefore, infants receiving CUROSURF should receive frequent clinical and laboratory assessments so that oxygen and ventilatory support can be modified to respond to respiratory changes. CUROSURF should only be administered by those trained and experienced in the care, resuscitation, and stabilization of pre-term infants.
Adverse Reactions
Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse Reactions in Studies in Premature Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome The safety data described below reflect exposure to CUROSURF at a single dose of 2.5 mL/kg (200 mg/kg), in 78 infants of 700-2000 grams birth weight with RDS requiring mechanical ventilation and a FiO2 ≥ 0.60 (Study 1) [see Clinical Studies (14.1)]. A total of 144 infants were studied after RDS developed and before 15 hours of age; 78 infants received CUROSURF 2.5 mL/kg single dose (200 mg/kg), and 66 infants received control treatment (disconnection from the ventilator and manual ventilation for 2 minutes). Transient adverse reactions seen with the administration of CUROSURF included bradycardia, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, and oxygen desaturation. The rates of the most common serious complications associated with prematurity and RDS observed in Study 1 are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Most Common Serious Complications Associated with Prematurity and RDS in Study 1 CUROSURF 2.5 mL/kgn=78 CONTROL*n=66 Acquired Pneumonia 17% 21% Acquired Septicemia 14% 18% Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia 18% 22% Intracranial Hemorrhage 51% 64% Patent Ductus Arteriosus 60% 48% Pneumothorax 21% 36% Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema 21% 38% *Control patients were disconnected from the ventilator and manually ventilated for 2 minutes. No surfactant was instilled. Seventy-six infants (45 treated with CUROSURF) from study 1 were evaluated at 1 year of age and 73 infants (44 treated with CUROSURF) were evaluated at 2 years of age to assess for potential long-term adverse reactions. Data from follow-up evaluations for weight and length, persistent respiratory symptoms, incidence of cerebral palsy, visual impairment, or auditory impairment wa
Mechanism of Action
Endogenous pulmonary surfactant reduces surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the alveoli during ventilation and stabilizes the alveoli against collapse at resting transpulmonary pressures. A deficiency of pulmonary surfactant in preterm infants results in Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) characterized by poor lung expansion, inadequate gas exchange, and a gradual collapse of the lungs (atelectasis). CUROSURF compensates for the deficiency of surfactant and restores surface activity to the lungs of these infants.
Overdosage
There have been no reports of overdosage following the administration of CUROSURF. In the event of accidental overdosage, and if there are clear clinical effects on the infant’s respiration, ventilation, or oxygenation, aspirate as much of the suspension as possible and provide the infant with supportive treatment, with particular attention to fluid and electrolyte balance.