Dactinomycin

by Al-Habib

Active ingredient: Dactinomycin

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About Dactinomycin

Cytostatic

Uses

Wills tumour, rhabdomyosarcoma carcinoma of testis or uterus.

How to take it

Adults: 2.5 mg/m² in divided doses, over 1 wk, repeated every 2 wk or 0.75-2 mg/m² every 1-4 wk or 400-600 mg/m²/day for 5 days, repeated every 3-6 wk. Refer to individual protocol. Children: Not recommended. IV: Infuse over 10-15 min. Avoid extravasation. Extremely damaging to soft tissue and will cause a severe local reaction if extravasation occurs. Administer slow IV push over 10-15 min. An in line cellulose membrane filter should not be used during administration of Dactinomycin soln. Do not give IM or SC. Dilute with 1.1 mL of preservative-free SWFI to yield a final concentration of 500 mcg/mL; do not use preservative diluent as precipitation may occur. Compatibility: Stable in D5W,…

Side effects

Fatigue, fever, acne, alopecia (reversible), increased pigmentation, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, growth retardation, hyperuricaemia, abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhoea, GI ulceration, nausea, vomiting, anaemia, increased bilirubin, hepatotoxicity, liver function test abnormality, erythema, oedema, myalgia.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Patients with concurrent or recent chickenpox or herpes zoster. Precautions: Use with caution in patients who have received radiation therapy. Avoid use within 2 months of radiation treatment for right-sided Wilms' tumour, may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity. Discontinue treatment with severe myelosuppression, diarrhoea or stomatitis. Avoid use in infants <6 months of age.

Advice

This medication is administered by infusion. Before infusion, limit oral intake for 4-6 hours. Inform prescriber immediately if there is redness/swelling/burning/pain at infusion site. Contact prescriber if there is unrelieved nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, rash. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber. Take small, frequent meals to maintain good nutritional status. Avoid highly crowded places to prevent infection. Do not get vaccinated without consulting prescriber.

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Interactions with Dactinomycin

BCG; clozapine; natalizumab; pimecrolimus; tacrolimus (topical); live vaccines (avoid), leflunomide, roflumilast, trastuzumab.

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Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

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