Calfactant Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 2, 2024.

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]