calfactant

Generic Name: calfactant (kal FAK tant)Brand Names: Infasurf

What is calfactant?

Calfactant is a lung surface acting agent, or "surfactant." It helps the lungs function normally. Calfactant is similar to the natural fluid in the lungs that helps maintain effective breathing.

Calfactant is used to treat or prevent respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in a premature baby whose lungs have not fully developed.

Calfactant may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

Your baby will receive this medication in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or similar hospital setting.

Calfactant is given directly into the baby's lungs through a breathing tube that is also connected to a ventilator (a machine that moves air in and out of the lungs to help your baby breathe easier and get enough oxygen).

Calfactant is similar to the natural fluid in the lungs that helps maintain effective breathing.

Your baby will remain under constant supervision during treatment with calfactant.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving calfactant?

To best participate in the care of your baby while he or she is in the NICU, carefully follow all instructions provided by your baby's caregivers.

How is calfactant given?

Calfactant is given directly into the baby's lungs through a breathing tube. Your baby will receive this medication in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or similar hospital setting.

The breathing tube is connected to a ventilator (a machine that moves air in and out of the lungs to help your baby breathe easier and get enough oxygen).

Calfactant is given as soon as possible after the baby's birth, usually within 30 minutes.

Calfactant is usually given every 12 hours for up to 3 doses.

Your baby's breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs will be watched closely during treatment with calfactant.

What happens if a dose is missed?

Since calfactant is given as needed by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that your baby will miss a dose.

What happens if an overdose is given?

Since calfactant is given in a controlled medical setting by a healthcare professional, an overdose is not likely to occur. However, an overdose of calfactant is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What should be avoided after receiving calfactant?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions in feeding, medications, or activity after your baby has been treated with calfactant.

Calfactant side effects

Calfactant causes few side effects. There is a possibility that the baby will have breathing difficulties during the calfactant treatment, and these problems may require further treatment by health care professionals. Your baby will remain under constant supervision during treatment with calfactant.

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.

Calfactant Dosing Information

Usual Pediatric Dose for Respiratory Distress Syndrome:

<72 hours of life: 3 mL/kg instilled intratracheally every 12 hours for a total of up to 3 doses. For prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants of <29 weeks gestational age, the first dose is preferably given within 30 minutes of birth. For rescue treatment, the first dose is given as soon as possible.>72 hours of life: Safety and efficacy have not been established.

What other drugs will affect calfactant?

Your baby's caregivers will manage and monitor all medications given to your baby during treatment in the NICU. A drug interaction between calfactant and other medications is not expected to occur.

Do not give any medications to your baby that have not been prescribed by the baby's doctor. This includes vitamins, minerals, or herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.03. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:43:24 PM.