How does it work?

Beractant is a natural lung (pulmonary) surfactant. Surfactants are wetting agents which coat the surface of the air sacs (alveoli) and reduce surface tension in the lungs. This helps to inflate and expand the air sacs during breathing and prevents their collapse.Surfactants are normally produced naturally in the lungs. A failure by the lungs to do this results in a life threatening disorder known as respiratory distress syndrome, where the lungs become stiff, uninflatable and make breathing extremely difficult. This commonly occurs in premature babies, where their under-developed lungs are incapable of producing surfactants. Beractant is given directly into the lung through a tube (endotracheal administration), to replace the natural surfactant and therefore aids breathing in premature babies.

What is it used for?

• Condition of a newborn/premature infant in which the lungs are not able to expand sufficiently and become stiff, resulting in rapid, shallow and laboured breathing (respiratory distress syndrome - RDS)

Warning!

• For use only under specialist medical supervision
• The oxygen levels of the body should be regularly monitored to avoid rapid increase of oxygen in the blood that may occur with the use of this medicine.

Use with caution in

• No known conditions

Not to be used in

• No known conditions

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• This medicine is not intended for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Bleeding from the lungs (pulmonary haemorrhage).

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

There have been no reported interactions with other medicines.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients