Dactinomycin

Description

Dactinomycin is an antineoplastic agent which is used to treat various types of cancers that affect the uterus, testicles, Kidneys, soft tissues, skeletal muscles and bones. This medicine is also used in the treatment for solid tumours. It should be used only under the supervision of a qualified physician. Close monitoring of liver function and kidney function are necessary while receiving this medication.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Dactinomycin

  • Diarrhea
  • Heartburn
  • Blood in the urine or stools
  • Mouth sores
  • Joint pain
  • Skin Rash
  • Vomiting

Uses of Dactinomycin

What is it prescribed for?

  • Wilm's Tumour
  • Ewing's Sarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Testicular Cancer
  • Trophoblastic Disease
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Dactinomycin, or any other inactive ingredients present in the formulation.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings

Extravasation

This medicine should be administered only under the supervision of qualified healthcare professionals. if extravasation occurs, interrupt the infusion or injection as soon as possible and apply ice.

Infections

Use of this medicine may affect the immune system, making you susceptible to opportunistic infections from a wide variety of pathogens. Use of this medicine is not recommended if you have an active infection. If a serious infection develops, consult your doctor immediately and discontinue the use of this medicine based on the doctor's advice.

Liver Disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Kidney Disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Bone marrow suppression

This medicine should be used with caution since it may increase the risk of myelosuppression (decreased bone marrow function). Regular monitoring of blood cells count is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Missed Dose

Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.

Overdose

Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Adalimumab

Influenza vaccine H1N1 live

Clozapine

Mumps virus Vaccine

Certolizumab

Polio virus vaccine Live,Trivalent

Disease interactions

Infections

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of recurrent infections due to the increased risk of myelosuppression. Initiation of therapy with this medicine in patients with active infections is not recommended. Patients susceptible to infections should be monitored closely during treatment with this medicine. An alternative treatment option may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Kidney Disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Liver Disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver disease due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of liver function, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by inhibiting and slowing the growth of the cancer cells in the body.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Unknown

Classification

Category

Antibiotics/antineoplastics

Schedule

Schedule H

DailyMed - DACTINOMYCIN- dactinomycin injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 7 December 2018]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5dc19443-1bac-4bb4-893e-e791b72b3d26

[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 7 December 2018]. Available from:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/050682s025lbl.pdf

Dactinomycin - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 7 December 2018]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00970

COSMEGEN LYOVAC - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 7 December 2018]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5360

How will this medicine affect me?

Consult top doctors online and get an answer now
Consult now
Consult now

Looking for a doctor?

Book an appointment with the top doctors near you
Book now
Book now
Something doesn’t feel right?
Report an error

Information on this page was last updated on 29 Aug 2019

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.