Lucinactant (intratracheal route)
Available brands
Surfaxin
About this medication
Lucinactant injection is used to prevent respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants at risk for RDS. RDS is a breathing or lung problem which is more common in premature infants because their lungs are not making enough surfactant. Surfactant is a liquid produced naturally in the lungs that helps an infant breathe air normally. This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of lucinactant injection in premature infants. No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of lucinactant injection in geriatric patients. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
How to use this medication
A doctor or other trained health professional will give your child this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given directly into your child's lungs through his endotracheal (breathing) tube.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.