Calfactant

Not indicated as a substitute for neonatal intensive care. Neonates.

Significant: Airway obstruction, cyanosis, bradycardia, drug reflux into the endotracheal tube; intraventricular haemorrhage, periventricular leucomalacia.
Surgical and medical procedures: Requirement for manual ventilation, reintubation.

Monitor heart rate and transcutaneous oxygen saturation during administration. Perform frequent arterial blood gas sampling after the initial dose.

Description:
Mechanism of Action: Calfactant is an extract of natural surfactant obtained from calf lungs which include phospholipids, neutral lipids, and hydrophobic surfactant-associated proteins B and C. It acts similarly to endogenous lung surfactant by rapidly adsorbing to the surface of the air:liquid interface and modifying the surface tension. It stabilises the alveoli by modifying alveolar surface tension.

Store upright, between 2-8°C. Do not freeze. Do not shake. Protect from light.

Other Drugs Acting on the Respiratory System

Onrust SV, Dooley M, Goa KL. Calfactant: A Review of its Use in Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. 1999 Jul;1(3):219-243. doi: 10.2165/00128072-199901030-00006. Accessed 06/07/2022. PMID: 10937453

Anon. Calfactant. Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 06/07/2022.

Buckingham R (ed). Pulmonary Surfactants. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 06/07/2022.

Infasurf Intratracheal Suspension (Transmedic Healthcare Sdn Bhd). National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency - Ministry of Health Malaysia. https://www.npra.gov.my. Accessed 06/07/2022.

Infasurf Suspension (ONY Biotech Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 06/07/2022.