Poractant alfa is a pulmonary surfactant sold under the brand name Curosurf by Chiesi Farmaceutici. Poractant alfa is an extract of natural porcine lung surfactant.
| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| Routes of administration | endotracheal |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | unknown |
| Metabolism | unknown |
| Elimination half-life | unknown |
| Excretion | unknown |
| Identifiers | |
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Considerations
Pulmonary hemorrhage
Pulmonary hemorrhage is a known complication of premature birth and very low birth-weight.
Other adverse effects
Transient episodes of bradycardia, decreased oxygen saturation, hypotension, or endotracheal tube blockage may occur.
Mechanism of action
Endogenous pulmonary surfactant reduces surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the alveoli during mechanical ventilation and stabilizes the alveoli against collapse at resting transpulmonary pressures.[1]
A deficiency of pulmonary surfactant in preterm infants results in respiratory distress syndrome. Poractant alfa compensates for the surfactant deficiency and restores surface activity to the lung tissue.
Pharmacodynamics
Currently there is no human pharmacokinetic information available, only animal models have been published.
References
- ^ Ainsworth SB, Beresford MW, Milligan DW, et al, “Pumactant and Poractant Alfa for Treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Neonates Born at 25-29 Weeks' Gestation: A Randomised Trial, Lancet, 2000, 355(9213):1387-92.