What is dactinomycin?
Dactinomycin is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
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.
What is the most important information I should know about dactinomycin?
Do not use dactinomycin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using dactinomycin, and avoid coming into contact with anyone who has recently received a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus could be passed on to you. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), oral polio, rotavirus, smallpox, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), H1N1 influenza, and nasal flu vaccine.
You should not receive dactinomycin if you are allergic to it, or if you have recently had chickenpox or herpes zoster (shingles).
To make sure you can safely use dactinomycin, tell your doctor if you have recently received radiation treatment for Wilms' tumor.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when dactinomycin is injected.
Dactinomycin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving dactinomycin?
You should not receive dactinomycin if you are allergic to it, or if you have recently had chickenpox or herpes zoster (shingles).
To make sure you can safely take dactinomycin, tell your doctor if you have recently received radiation treatment for Wilms' tumor.
Using dactinomycin may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use dactinomycin if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether dactinomycin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using dactinomycin.