SurfactantPrescription OnlyPregnancy Cat. Not classifiedFDA Yes
Survanta
BERACTANT
INDICATIONS AND USAGE SURVANTA is indicated for prevention and treatment (“rescue”) of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) (hyaline membrane disease) in premature infants.
Medically reviewed by MedCentralHub Medical Review Board, Licensed Pharmacists & Physicians ·
Brand names:Survanta
Quick Reference
Medicine ClassSurfactant
FDA ApprovedYes
PregnancyCategory Not classified
Quick Facts
- Active ingredient
- BERACTANT
- Medicine class
- Surfactant
- Brand names
- Survanta
- Availability
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Pregnancy category
- Not classified
- FDA approved
- Yes
Medical Review
Medically reviewed- Reviewed by
- MedCentralHub Medical Review Board
- Credentials
- Licensed Pharmacists & Physicians
- Last reviewed
- Next review
Written from primary sources (FDA labeling, NIH/MedlinePlus, peer-reviewed literature) and verified by our review board. Educational information only — not a substitute for professional medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.
What Is Survanta?
INDICATIONS AND USAGE SURVANTA is indicated for prevention and treatment (“rescue”) of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) (hyaline membrane disease) in premature infants.
Survanta (BERACTANT) belongs to the Surfactant class of medications. It was first approved by the FDA in Yes. This medication requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Key Safety Information
- •Always follow the dose recommended by your healthcare professional. Taking more than prescribed increases the risk of side effects including serious complications.
- •Seek emergency care if you experience signs of an allergic reaction — hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or rash. Stop the medication and call your doctor immediately.
- •Some medications can increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke, or any pre-existing health condition.
- •Avoid or limit alcohol while taking Survanta. Do not drink alcohol without first discussing it with your healthcare provider as it may increase adverse effects.
- •Take Survanta with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs. Stop use and talk to your doctor if you experience persistent stomach pain or GI symptoms.
- •Tell your doctor about all medications, supplements, and vitamins you take. Some combinations significantly increase the risk of harm.
This is a summary only. Always read the full prescribing information and consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical advice.
Uses & Indications
Survanta is prescribed for the following conditions. Some uses are FDA-approved indications; others may be evidence-based off-label uses. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE SURVANTA is indicated for prevention and treatment (“rescue”) of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) (hyaline membrane disease) in premature infants.
Dosage Guide
The following are general dosing guidelines only. Your actual dose should be determined by your healthcare provider based on your condition, renal/hepatic function, and other medications.
AD
Adult Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Important Administration Instructions For intratracheal administration only. SURVANTA should be administered by or under the supervision of clinicians experienced in intubation, ventilator management, and general care of premature infants. The administration of SURVANTA is facilitated if one person administers the dose while another person positions and monitors the infant. Before administering SURVANTA, assure proper placement and patency of the endotracheal tube. At the discretion of the clinician, the endotracheal tube may be suctioned before administering SURVANTA. The infant should be allowed to stabilize before proceeding with dosing. Administer SURVANTA intratracheally by instillation through a 5 French end-hole catheter. Recommended Dosage Each dose of SURVANTA is 100 mg of phospholipids/kg birth weight (4 mL/kg). In the prevention strategy, in premature infants with evidence of surfactant deficiency, give the first dose of SURVANTA as soon as possible
Available Forms
Available Strengths
Side Effects
Common
- ADVERSE REACTIONS The most commonly reported adverse experiences were associated with the dosing procedure.
- In the multiple-dose controlled clinical trials, each dose of SURVANTA was divided into four quarter-doses which were instilled through a catheter inserted into the endotracheal tube by briefly disconnecting the endotracheal tube from the ventilator.
- Transient bradycardia occurred with 11.9% of doses .
- Oxygen desaturation occurred with 9.8% of doses .
- Other reactions during the dosing procedure occurred with fewer than 1% of doses and included endotracheal tube reflux, pallor, vasoconstriction, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, hypertension, hypocarbia, hypercarbia, and apnea.
- No deaths occurred during the dosing procedure, and all reactions resolved with symptomatic treatment.
- The occurrence of concurrent illnesses common in premature infants was evaluated in the controlled trials.
Serious
- WARNINGS SURVANTA can rapidly affect oxygenation and lung compliance within minutes of administration of SURVANTA.
- Therefore, its use should be restricted to a highly supervised clinical setting with immediate availability of clinicians experienced with intubation, ventilator management, and general care of premature infants.
- Infants receiving SURVANTA should be frequently monitored with arterial or transcutaneous measurement of systemic oxygen and carbon dioxide.
- During the dosing procedure, transient episodes of bradycardia and decreased oxygen saturation have been reported.
- If these occur, stop the dosing procedure and initiate appropriate measures to alleviate the condition.
Rare
Medicine Interactions
Always inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist about ALL medications you take, including prescriptions, OTC medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
MajorModerateMinor
Warnings & Contraindications
WARNINGS SURVANTA can rapidly affect oxygenation and lung compliance within minutes of administration of SURVANTA. Therefore, its use should be restricted to a highly supervised clinical setting with immediate availability of clinicians experienced with intubation, ventilator management, and general care of premature infants.
How Survanta Works
Pharmacokinetics
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safety
Not classified
Breastfeeding
Many medications pass into breast milk in varying amounts. Before using Survantawhile breastfeeding, discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare provider or pharmacist — they can weigh your dose, your infant's age, and available lactation safety data to find the safest option for you and your baby.
Storage & Handling
Store at room temperature. Keep away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related on MedCentralHub
- Class hub
Surfactant alternatives
Compare all Surfactant medications — uses, side effects, and cost differences
- Detail
Survanta dosage guide
Adult, pediatric, renal, and hepatic dosing for Survanta
- Detail
Survanta side effects
Complete adverse effect profile including common, serious, and rare reactions
- Topic
InteractGuard
- Topic
FDA Alerts & Recalls
- Topic
FDA Approvals
- Topic
Medicine Safety Guide
- Topic
Pregnancy Safety
- Topic
Pediatric Dosing
Sources & References
- • FDA Prescribing Information — Official labeling and package insert for Survanta
- • U.S. National Library of Medicine — MedlinePlus drug information
- • American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) — Clinical pharmacology monograph
- • PubMed / MEDLINE — View clinical studies
Last reviewed by MedCentralHub Medical Review Board · MedCentralHub Editorial Policy
Sources & References
Content on this page is drawn from the following primary sources and reviewed against current labeling.
- FDA DailyMed — Official FDA prescribing information and drug labels
- MedlinePlus (NIH) — Patient-friendly drug information from the National Library of Medicine
- FDA Drug Safety Communications — Current FDA safety alerts, recalls, and label changes
- PubMed — Peer-reviewed clinical literature
Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.