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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:

Common side effects of dactinomycin may include:

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:

Dactinomycin can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects if 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.

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

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.

Does dactinomycin interact with my other drugs?

Enter medications to view a detailed interaction report using our Drug Interaction Checker.

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.