Poractant Alfa is a prescription medicine (Surfactant). The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.
- Type
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Brand names
- Curosurf
- Drug class
- Surfactant
- Taken
- Endotracheal
- Label
- Chiesi USA, Inc., revised December 10, 2025 · full label on DailyMed
- Biosimilars
- None approved · details
What it is used for
CUROSURF ® (poractant alfa) Intratracheal Suspension is indicated for the rescue treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. CUROSURF reduces mortality and pneumothoraces associated with RDS. CUROSURF is a surfactant indicated for the rescue treatment, including the reduction of mortality and pneumothoraces, of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. ( 1 )
Forms and strengths
2.4 Administration For endotracheal tube instillation using a 5 French end-hole catheter Slowly withdraw the entire contents of the vial of CUROSURF suspension into a 3 or 5 mL plastic syringe through a large-gauge needle (e.g., at least 20 gauge). Enter each single-use vial only once. Attach the 5 French end-hole catheter of appropriate length to position the catheter tip proximal to the distal portion of the endotracheal tube, to the syringe. Fill the catheter with CUROSURF suspension. Discard excess CUROSURF through the catheter so that only the dose to be given remains in the syringe. For the first dose: 1.25 mL/kg (birth weight) per aliquot For each repeated dose: 0.625 mL/kg (birth weight) per aliquot First aliquot of CUROSURF suspension: Position the infant in a neutral position (head and body in alignment without inclination), with either the right or left side dependent. Immediately before CUROSURF administration, ventilate the infant with supplemental oxygen sufficient to maintain SaO 2 > 92%. Insert the catheter into the endotracheal tube and instill the first aliquot of CUROSURF suspension. After the first aliquot is instilled, remove the catheter from the endotracheal tube and manually ventilate with supplemental oxygen until clinically stable. Second aliquot of CUROSURF suspension: When the infant is stable, reposition the infant such that the other side is dependent. Administer the remaining aliquot using the same procedures as the first aliquot. After completion of the dosing procedure, do not suction airways for 1 hour after surfactant instillation unless signs of significant airway obstruction occur [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . For endotracheal tube instillation using the secondary lumen of a dual lumen endotracheal tube Slowly withdraw the entire contents of the vial of CUROSURF suspension into a 3 or 5 mL plastic syringe through a large-gauge needle (e.g., at least 20 gauge). Do not attach 5 French end-hole catheter. Remove the needle and discard excess CUROSURF so that only the dose to be given remains in the syringe. Keep the infant in a neutral position (head and body in alignment without inclination). Administer CUROSURF suspension through the proximal end of the secondary lumen of the endotracheal tube as a single dose, given over 1 minute, and without interrupting mechanical ventilation. After completion of this dosing procedure, ventilator management may require transient increases in FiO 2 , ventilator rate, or PIP. Do not suction airways for 1 hour after surfactant instillation unless signs of significant airway obstruction occur.
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Intratracheal suspension: CUROSURF (poractant alfa) is a white to creamy white suspension available in: 120 mg/1.5 mL (80 mg/mL) single-dose vials 240 mg/3 mL (80 mg/mL) single-dose vials Intratracheal Suspension: 120 mg/1.5 mL (80 mg/mL) single-dose vials ( 3 ) 240 mg/3 mL (80 mg/mL) single-dose vials ( 3 )
Who should not take it (contraindications)
None. None.
Warnings and precautions
Acute Changes in Lung Compliance : Frequently assess need to modify oxygen and ventilatory support to respiratory changes ( 5.1 ) Administration-Related Adverse Reactions : Transient adverse effects include bradycardia, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, and oxygen desaturation. These events require stopping CUROSURF administration and taking appropriate measures to alleviate the condition ( 5.2 )
5.1 Acute Changes in Oxygenation and Lung Compliance The administration of exogenous surfactants, including CUROSURF, can rapidly affect oxygenation and lung compliance. Therefore, infants receiving CUROSURF should receive frequent clinical and laboratory assessments so that oxygen and ventilatory support can be modified to respond to respiratory changes. CUROSURF should only be administered by those trained and experienced in the care, resuscitation, and stabilization of pre-term infants.
5.2 Administration-Related Adverse Reactions Transient adverse reactions associated with administration of CUROSURF include bradycardia, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, and oxygen desaturation. These events require stopping CUROSURF administration and taking appropriate measures to alleviate the condition. After the patient is stable, dosing may proceed with appropriate monitoring.
5.1 Acute Changes in Oxygenation and Lung Compliance The administration of exogenous surfactants, including CUROSURF, can rapidly affect oxygenation and lung compliance. Therefore, infants receiving CUROSURF should receive frequent clinical and laboratory assessments so that oxygen and ventilatory support can be modified to respond to respiratory changes. CUROSURF should only be administered by those trained and experienced in the care, resuscitation, and stabilization of pre-term infants.
5.2 Administration-Related Adverse Reactions Transient adverse reactions associated with administration of CUROSURF include bradycardia, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, and oxygen desaturation. These events require stopping CUROSURF administration and taking appropriate measures to alleviate the condition. After the patient is stable, dosing may proceed with appropriate monitoring.
Side effects (adverse reactions)
Common adverse reactions associated with the administration of CUROSURF include bradycardia, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, and oxygen desaturation. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Chiesi USA, Inc. at 1-888-661-9260 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse Reactions in Studies in Premature Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome The safety data described below reflect exposure to CUROSURF at a single dose of 2.5 mL/kg (200 mg/kg), in 78 infants of 700-2000 grams birth weight with RDS requiring mechanical ventilation and a FiO 2 ≥ 0.60 (Study 1) [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. A total of 144 infants were studied after RDS developed and before 15 hours of age; 78 infants received CUROSURF 2.5 mL/kg single dose (200 mg/kg), and 66 infants received control treatment (disconnection from the ventilator and manual ventilation for 2 minutes). Transient adverse reactions seen with the administration of CUROSURF included bradycardia, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, and oxygen desaturation. The rates of the most common serious complications associated with prematurity and RDS observed in Study 1 are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Most Common Serious Complications Associated with Prematurity and RDS in Study 1 CUROSURF 2.5 mL/kgn=78 CONTROL*n=66 Acquired Pneumonia 17% 21% Acquired Septicemia 14% 18% Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia 18% 22% Intracranial Hemorrhage 51% 64% Patent Ductus Arteriosus 60% 48% Pneumothorax 21% 36% Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema 21% 38% *Control patients were disconnected from the ventilator and manually ventilated for 2 minutes. No surfactant was instilled. Seventy-six infants (45 treated with CUROSURF) from study 1 were evaluated at 1 year of age and 73 infants (44 treated with CUROSURF) were evaluated at 2 years of age to assess for potential long-term adverse reactions. Data from follow-up evaluations for weight and length, persistent respiratory symptoms, incidence of cerebral palsy, visual impairment, or auditory impairment was similar between treatment groups. In 16 patients (10 treated with CUROSURF and 6 controls) evaluated at 5.5 years of age, the developmental quotient, derived using the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales, was similar between groups.
6.2 Immunogenicity Immunological studies have not demonstrated differences in levels of surfactant-anti-surfactant immune complexes and anti-CUROSURF antibodies between patients treated with CUROSURF and patients who received control treatment.
6.3 Postmarketing Experience Pulmonary hemorrhage, a known complication of premature birth and very low birth-weight, has been reported both in clinical trials with CUROSURF and in postmarketing adverse event reports in infants who had received CUROSURF.
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse Reactions in Studies in Premature Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome The safety data described below reflect exposure to CUROSURF at a single dose of 2.5 mL/kg (200 mg/kg), in 78 infants of 700-2000 grams birth weight with RDS requiring mechanical ventilation and a FiO 2 ≥ 0.60 (Study 1) [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. A total of 144 infants were studied after RDS developed and before 15 hours of age; 78 infants received CUROSURF 2.5 mL/kg single dose (200 mg/kg), and 66 infants received control treatment (disconnection from the ventilator and manual ventilation for 2 minutes). Transient adverse reactions seen with the administration of CUROSURF included bradycardia, hypotension, endotracheal tube blockage, and oxygen desaturation. The rates of the most common serious complications associated with prematurity and RDS observed in Study 1 are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Most Common Serious Complications Associated with Prematurity and RDS in Study 1 CUROSURF 2.5 mL/kgn=78 CONTROL*n=66 Acquired Pneumonia 17% 21% Acquired Septicemia 14% 18% Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia 18% 22% Intracranial Hemorrhage 51% 64% Patent Ductus Arteriosus 60% 48% Pneumothorax 21% 36% Pulmonary Interstitial Emphysema 21% 38% *Control patients were disconnected from the ventilator and manually ventilated for 2 minutes. No surfactant was instilled. Seventy-six infants (45 treated with CUROSURF) from study 1 were evaluated at 1 year of age and 73 infants (44 treated with CUROSURF) were evaluated at 2 years of age to assess for potential long-term adverse reactions. Data from follow-up evaluations for weight and length, persistent respiratory symptoms, incidence of cerebral palsy, visual impairment, or auditory impairment was similar between treatment groups. In 16 patients (10 treated with CUROSURF and 6 controls) evaluated at 5.5 years of age, the developmental quotient, derived using the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scales, was similar between groups.
6.2 Immunogenicity Immunological studies have not demonstrated differences in levels of surfactant-anti-surfactant immune complexes and anti-CUROSURF antibodies between patients treated with CUROSURF and patients who received control treatment.
6.3 Postmarketing Experience Pulmonary hemorrhage, a known complication of premature birth and very low birth-weight, has been reported both in clinical trials with CUROSURF and in postmarketing adverse event reports in infants who had received CUROSURF.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults
8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of CUROSURF for the rescue treatment, including the reduction of mortality and pneumothoraces, of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) have been established in premature infants and the information on this use is discussed throughout the labeling. The safety and effectiveness of CUROSURF in the treatment of full term infants or older pediatric patients with respiratory failure has not been established.
How it works
Endogenous pulmonary surfactant reduces surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the alveoli during ventilation and stabilizes the alveoli against collapse at resting transpulmonary pressures. A deficiency of pulmonary surfactant in preterm infants results in Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) characterized by poor lung expansion, inadequate gas exchange, and a gradual collapse of the lungs (atelectasis). CUROSURF compensates for the deficiency of surfactant and restores surface activity to the lungs of these infants.
Are there biosimilars to Poractant Alfa?
No. The FDA has not approved a biosimilar yet.
Biologics have biosimilars rather than generics: highly similar versions with no clinically meaningful differences. Only biosimilars the FDA designates as interchangeable can be swapped at the pharmacy without asking the prescriber, where state law allows; the FDA Purple Book lists which ones are.
Brand-name versions
- Curosurf Chiesi Usa Inc, approved 1999
Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.
Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.
Poractant alfa in the news
We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news
Recalls
-
Class II Ongoing
CUROSURF (poractant alfa), 240 mg, Intratracheal Suspension, 3L Single-dose-Vial, Rx only, Chiesi USA, Inc, Cary, NC 27518, NDC 10122-510-03.
Reason: Lack of Assurance of Sterility
Lots, distribution and details
- Lots / codes
- Lot #: 1213748, Exp. Date 09/2026; 1215076, 1215077, Exp. Date 10/26.
- Distribution
- Nationwide within the United States
- Quantity
- 7,235 vials
- Recall started
- March 17, 2026 (Voluntary: Firm initiated)
- Severity
- Could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems; serious harm is unlikely.
- FDA recall number
- D-0402-2026
Have this medicine at home? Compare the lot number and expiry date on your package with the recall. Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine on your own — stopping suddenly can be riskier than the recalled lot. Your pharmacist can check it and usually swap it for an unaffected one.
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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID 99bef307-00bd-4379-9f45-ede1380e74d4.