Summary
Commonly reported side effects of calfactant include: airway obstruction, cyanosis, and bradycardia. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to calfactant: intratracheal suspension.
Warning
Your baby will receive this medication in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or similar hospital setting.
Calfactant is given directly into the baby's lungs through a breathing tube that is also connected to a ventilator (a machine that moves air in and out of the lungs to help your baby breathe easier and get enough oxygen).
Your baby will remain under constant supervision during treatment with calfactant.
Calfactant causes few side effects. There is a possibility that the baby will have breathing difficulties during the calfactant treatment, and these problems may require further treatment by health care professionals. Your baby will remain under constant supervision during treatment with calfactant.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to calfactant: intratracheal suspension.
General
The most common adverse reactions, transient and not associated with serious complications or death, were cyanosis, airway obstruction, bradycardia, reflux of surfactant into the endotracheal tube, requirement for manual ventilation, and reintubation.
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Cyanosis (65%), patent ductus arteriosus (45%), bradycardia (34%)
Common (1% to 10%): Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH, 7%), periventricular leukomalacia (PVL, 7%)[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Necrotizing enterocolitis (17%)
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Intracranial hemorrhage (36%), severe intracranial hemorrhage (12%)
Other
Very common (10% or more): Sepsis (28%)[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Apnea (76%), airway obstruction (39%), reflux of surfactant into the endotracheal tube (21%), requirement for manual ventilation (16%), pulmonary air leaks (15%), pulmonary interstitial emphysema (10%)
Common (1% to 10%): Pulmonary hemorrhage (7%), reintubation (3%)[Ref]
