Dactinomycin

Generic name: dactinomycin [ DAK-tin-oh-MYE-sin ]
Brand name: Cosmegen
Dosage form: intravenous powder for injection (0.5 mg)
Drug class: Antibiotics / antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on May 3, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is dactinomycin?

Dactinomycin is used to treat different types of cancers that affect the kidneys, uterus, testicles, bones, muscles, joints, and soft tissues. Dactinomycin is also used to treat solid tumors.

Dactinomycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Dactinomycin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Dactinomycin may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• swelling or tenderness in your stomach (upper right side), rapid weight gain;

• swelling in your arms or legs;

• dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• redness of your skin or the inside of your mouth and throat (if you are also receiving radiation treatment);

• sores or white patches in or around your mouth, trouble swallowing or talking, dry mouth, bad breath, altered sense of taste;

• blisters, ulcers, or other skin changes where an injection was given; or

• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Common side effects of dactinomycin may include:

• hair loss;

• fever, infections, low blood cell counts;

• rash;

• trouble swallowing;

• nausea, vomiting; or

• tiredness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

Using dactinomycin may increase your risk of developing other cancers, such as leukemia. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease; or

• radiation treatment.

Dactinomycin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if the mother or the father is using dactinomycin.

• If you are a woman, do not use dactinomycin if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.

• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.

• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using dactinomycin.

You should not breastfeed while you are using dactinomycin.

How should I use dactinomycin?

Dactinomycin is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when dactinomycin is injected.

For most conditions, dactinomycin is given once every 3 weeks for several months, or up to 2 years or longer. You may receive this medicine more often or less often, depending on the type of cancer you have. For solid tumors, you may only receive one dose.

Your doctor will determine how long to treat you.

Dactinomycin can lower your blood cell counts. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.

Related/similar drugs

aspirin, prednisone, ibuprofen, duloxetine, naproxen, methotrexate, Cymbalta, pembrolizumab, cisplatin, fluorouracil

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your dactinomycin injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using dactinomycin?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using dactinomycin. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

What other drugs will affect dactinomycin?

Other drugs may affect dactinomycin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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