Beractant

Beractant is a specialised sterile medicine used to treat and prevent Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. It helps keep the baby's tiny air sacs in the lungs open, making it much easier for them to breathe and absorb oxygen. This treatment is highly critical for newborns whose lungs have not yet fully developed.

This medicine is given in a hospital setting, usually immediately after birth or as soon as signs of breathing distress appear. Because it is given directly into the lungs by specialised healthcare professionals, there is no set home schedule or dietary adjustment required. Instead, the medical team closely manages the baby's surrounding environment and overall supportive care in the intensive care unit.

Some infants may experience temporary side effects during the procedure, such as a brief slow heart rate or short drops in oxygen levels. The healthcare team continuously monitors the baby during the process to manage these effects immediately. If you notice any unusual signs after the procedure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not give this if the baby has certain severe congenital physical abnormalities of the airway that make placing a breathing tube impossible. The medical team will carefully evaluate the newborn's physical health before deciding to proceed with this therapy.

Because this medicine works locally inside the lungs, it does not typically interact with oral medicines or general systemic treatments. However, the medical team will coordinate it carefully with any other breathing therapies or oxygen support the baby receives.

Beractant is one of several surfactant medicines available for treating Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Depending on your baby's condition, the hospital's treatment protocol, and medicine availability, the neonatologist may choose another surfactant, such as poractant alfa or calfactant, if appropriate.

If the baby's breathing does not improve as expected, the medical team will reassess the lungs and overall condition. They may provide another dose of Beractant if appropriate, adjust breathing support, or investigate other possible causes of breathing difficulty.

When used as directed as part of your treatment plan, this medicine may provide the following benefits:

• Supports Easier Breathing: Beractant brings rapid relief to premature babies struggling to breathe by restoring normal lung function. By lining the inside of the air sacs, it reduces the physical effort the baby must make to draw in air, helping them rest and recover.
• Improves Oxygen Levels: Another major benefit is that it significantly improves oxygen levels in the blood. This helps protect vital organs from oxygen deprivation and often reduces the amount of time the newborn needs to stay on highly invasive breathing machines. Most premature babies show noticeable improvement in breathing and oxygen levels within a few hours after treatment. Early surfactant therapy has been shown to improve survival and reduce the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation in many premature infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome. 

• Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
• Beractant is given by the trained healthcare professional.
• Do not self-administer.

Common Side Effects (Usually mild):

• Temporary slow heart rate during administration
• Brief drop in blood oxygen levels
• The medicine backing up into the breathing tube
• Pale skin or temporary colour changes during the procedure
   

Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):

• Bleeding inside the lungs (pulmonary hemorrhage)
• Complete blockage of the breathing tube
• Severe, sudden drops in blood pressure