dactinomycin Health Article

Generic name(s):

dactinomycin

Brand name(s):

Cosmegen

What is the most important information I should know about dactinomycin?

Dactinomycin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Serious side effects have been reported with the use of dactinomycin including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; increased susceptibility to infection; slow wound healing; easy bruising or bleeding; sore throat, fever, chills, or signs of infection); abdominal pain or black, bloody, or tarry stools; severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth sores; and others. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with dactinomycin.

What is dactinomycin?

Dactinomycin is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Dactinomycin interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.

Dactinomycin is used to treat Wilm's tumor, childhood rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, and testicular cancer. Dactinomycin is also used in the treatment of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and in the treatment of locally recurrent solid malignancies.

Dactinomycin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using dactinomycin?

Do not use dactinomycin without first talking to your doctor if you have:

• recently had chickenpox (varicella) or shingles (herpes zoster);

• any other type of infection; or

• decreased bone marrow function.

The use of dactinomycin may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Dactinomycin is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that dactinomycin is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use dactinomycin without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Discuss with your doctor the appropriate use of birth control during treatment with dactinomycin if necessary. It is not know whether dactinomycin passes into breast milk. Breast feeding should be avoided during treatment with dactinomycin.

How should I use dactinomycin?

Dactinomycin should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice redness, pain, or swelling at the place of injection or anywhere else on your skin.

Your doctor will determine the correct amount and frequency of treatment with dactinomycin depending upon the type of cancer being treated and other factors. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns regarding the treatment schedule.

Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with dactinomycin to monitor progress and side effects.

Dactinomycin is extremely corrosive to the skin if contact occurs. If you are storing or injection dactinomycin at home, avoid contact with the medication. If contact accidentally occurs, rinse the skin with water for at least 15 minutes and seek emergency medical attention.

Your healthcare provider will store dactinomycin as directed by the manufacturer. If you are storing dactinomycin at home, follow the directions provided by your healthcare provider.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of dactinomycin.

What happens if I overdose?

If, for any reason, an overdose of dactinomycin is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Symptoms of a dactinomycin overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.