Dactinomycin



Cosmegen®







Dactinomycin

(dak ti noe MYE sin)

U.S. Brand Names
Cosmegen®
Canadian Brand Names
Cosmegen®
Pharmacologic Category
Antineoplastic Agent, Antibiotic
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to dactinomycin or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat a variety of cancers.
How does it work?
  • Dactinomycin injures cancer cells causing their death.
How is it best taken?
  • This medicine is given as a shot into a vein.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Call healthcare provider for instructions.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Be careful about taking vaccinations while you are receiving this medicine.
  • If you have gallbladder disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have had radiation therapy, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
  • Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
  • If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Risk of infection. Avoid people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Mouth and lip irritation. Frequent mouth care with a soft toothbrush or cotton swabs and rinsing mouth may help.
  • Hair loss. Hair usually grows back when medicine is stopped.
  • Diarrhea.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check weight weekly. Report a weight loss to healthcare provider.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Yellow skin or eyes.
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Severe skin irritation.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: