curosurf
Pharmaranks rates Curosurf 3.6/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Curosurf (Poractant Alfa) is a surfactant used to treat Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
Poractant Alfa · by Chiesi
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Poractant Alfa
- Drug class
- Surfactant
- Form
- Suspension
- Strength
- Poractant Alfa 80MG/ML
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- Manufacturer
- Chiesi
- FDA application
- BLA020744
What is Curosurf?
From the FDA label:Poractant alfa is an extract of natural porcine lung (pulmonary) surfactant consisting of 99% polar lipids (mainly phospholipids) and 1% hydrophobic low molecular weight surfactant associated proteins (SP). The molecular weight of SP-B is 8.7 KDa and the molecular weight of SP-C is 3.7 KDa. CUROSURF (poractant alfa) intratracheal suspension is a sterile, white to creamy white suspension provided in a single-dose vial for intratracheal use. Each milliliter of suspension contains 80 mg of poractant alfa (surfactant extract) that includes 76 mg of phospholipids and 1 mg of SP of which 0.45 mg is SP-B, a 79-amino acid protein and 0.59 mg is SP-C, a 35-amino acid peptide . The amount of phospholipids is calculated from the content of phosphorus and contains 55 mg of phosphatidylcholine of which 30 mg is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. It is suspended in 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The pH is adjusted with sodium bicarbonate to a pH of 6.2 (5.5 to 6.5). Curosurf contains no preservatives.
How to use
Before administering CUROSURF, assure proper placement and patency of endotracheal tube ( 2.1 ) Administer intratracheally either in ( 2.1 ): Two divided aliquots through a 5 French end-hole catheter; or A single bolus through secondary lumen of a dual lumen endotracheal tube without interrupting mechanical ventilation Initial recommended dose is 2.5 mL/kg birth weight ( 2.2 ) Up to two repeat doses of 1.25 mL/kg birth weight may be administered at approximately 12-hour intervals ( 2.2 ) Maximum total dose (initial plus repeat doses) is 5 mL/kg ( 2.2 ) See Full Prescribing Information for instructions on preparation and administration of the CUROSURF suspension ( 2.3 , 2.4 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions For intratracheal administration only. CUROSURF should be administered by, or under the supervision of clinicians experienced in intubation, ventilator management, and general care of premature infants. Before administering CUROSURF, assure proper placement and patency of the endotracheal tube. At the discretion of the clinician, the endotracheal tube may be suctioned before administering CUROSURF. Allow the infant to stabilize before proceeding with dosing. Administer CUROSURF either: Intratracheally by instillation in two divided aliquots through a 5 French end-hole catheter or Intratracheally in a single bolus through the secondary lumen of a dual lumen…
Side effects
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…
Warnings
Important safety information
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.
Who should not take Curosurf
None. None.
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
There have been no reports of overdosage following the administration of CUROSURF. In the event of accidental overdosage, and if there are clear clinical effects on the infant's respiration, ventilation, or oxygenation, aspirate as much of the suspension as possible and provide the infant with supportive treatment, with particular attention to fluid and electrolyte balance.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
Dosage forms
Suspension
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
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Request a 90-day supply
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Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Curosurf treat?
- Curosurf (Poractant Alfa) may be used to treat newborn respiratory distress syndrome, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How is Curosurf rated?
- pharmaranks gives Curosurf a composite score of 3.6 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Curosurf?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Curosurf. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Curosurf?
- Curosurf is marketed by Chiesi. You can see Chiesi's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Curosurf a brand-name or generic drug?
- Curosurf is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Poractant Alfa.
- Is Curosurf available over the counter?
- No. Curosurf is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Curosurf come in?
- Curosurf is currently marketed as suspension, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Curosurf?
- Curosurf is classified as surfactant, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Curosurf FDA-registered?
- Curosurf is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number BLA020744. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Curosurf been recalled by the FDA?
- Yes. Curosurf has 1 recorded FDA recall event in the openFDA enforcement database. A recall removes specific lots from the market — usually for manufacturing, contamination, potency, or labeling issues — and does not mean the drug is unsafe to take; your specific lot was almost certainly never affected. This recall history is factored into its safety score above. Always check the FDA recall database or your pharmacist for current alerts.
- Is Curosurf safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Curosurf a recall-safety score of 72/100, based on its FDA recall history (1 recorded recall event) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Curosurf?
- Curosurf's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: 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 .… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
What people report to the FDA about PORACTANT ALFA
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 29 reports naming PORACTANT ALFA — the active ingredient in Curosurf, and the FDA flagged 93% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- infantile apnoea4 reports
- coagulopathy2 reports
- drug administration error2 reports
- endotracheal intubation complication2 reports
- foetal exposure during pregnancy2 reports
- intestinal perforation2 reports
- necrotising colitis2 reports
- pneumonia2 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean PORACTANT ALFA caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 26, 2026.
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curosurf
72/100