Dacilon Injection (Dactinomycin)

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. Cosmegen is another brand name for Dactinomycin.

Uses of Dacilon Injection (Dactinomycin)

Dactinomycin drug, commonly known as Cosmegen, is a chemotherapy drug used for the treatment of various types of cancer. It works by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Dactinomycin is administered through injection and is often used in combination with other anticancer medications.

Dactinomycin chemotherapy:

In chemotherapy, Dactinomycin is often used as part of combination therapy, where it is combined with other anticancer drugs to maximize the effectiveness of treatment. It is commonly employed in the treatment of childhood cancers such as Wilms' tumor (a kidney tumor) and rhabdomyosarcoma (a soft tissue tumor). Dactinomycin is particularly effective against fast-growing cancers and is administered through injection into a vein or muscle. The dosage and treatment schedule are determined by the patient's specific condition and the oncologist's recommendation. Overall, Dactinomycin for cancer treatment, helps to combat the growth and spread of malignant cells and improves the chances of remission and survival for patients.

What is the most important information I should know about Dactinomycin?

Dactinomycin is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. You should not receive dactinomycin if you have recently had chickenpox or herpes zoster (shingles). Dactinomycin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood clot. You may get an infection or bleed more easily. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches).

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's tumor. Using dactinomycin may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk. 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 breastfeed while you are using dactinomycin.

How should I use Dactinomycin?

Dactinomycin/Cosmegen is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. Dactinomycin is usually given only on certain days during a treatment cycle. How often you receive this medication depends on the condition being treated. Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when dactinomycin is injected. Dactinomycin can be harmful if it gets in your eyes, mouth, or nose, or on your skin. If skin contact occurs, rinse with plain water for at least 15 minutes. Dactinomycin can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

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?

Avoid getting this medicine on your clothes. Destroy any clothing the medicine has leaked onto if an accidental spill occurs. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection. This medicine can pass into body fluids (urine, feces, vomit). For at least 48 hours after you receive a dose, avoid allowing your body fluids to come into contact with your hands or other surfaces. Caregivers should wear rubber gloves while cleaning up a patient's body fluids, handling contaminated trash or laundry, or changing diapers. Wash hands before and after removing gloves. Wash soiled clothing and linens separately from another laundry. Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using dactinomycin/Cosmegen, 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), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Dactinomycin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: pain, swelling, burning, irritation, or skin changes where the injection was given; fever, chills, body aches, diarrhea, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat; swelling or tenderness in your upper stomach, weight gain, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); feeling short of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all; chest pain, dry cough, wheezing; pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin; any wound that will not heal; or redness or your skin or the inside of your mouth and throat (if you are also receiving radiation treatment).

Common side effects may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite; tired feeling, muscle pain; rectal pain or bleeding; numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth, fast or slow heart rate, muscle tightness or contraction, overactive reflexes; hair loss; dry or cracked skin, chapped lips; or acne, mild skin rash.

Dactinomycin dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Wilms' Tumor:

15 mcg/kg/day or 400 to 600 mcg/m2/day intravenously for 5 days as a part of a combination regimen. Dosage for obese or edematous adult patients may be calculated on the basis of body surface area to relate dosage to lean body mass. The dosage may be repeated every 3 to 6 weeks.

Usual Adult Dose for Ewing's Sarcoma:

15 mcg/kg/day or 400 to 600 mcg/m2/day intravenously for 5 days as a part of a combination regimen. Dosage for obese or edematous adult patients may be calculated on the basis of body surface area to relate dosage to lean body mass. The dosage may be repeated every 3 to 6 weeks.

Usual Adult Dose for Rhabdomyosarcoma:

15 mcg/kg/day or 400 to 600 mcg/m2/day intravenously for 5 days as a part of a combination regimen. Dosage for obese or edematous adult patients may be calculated on the basis of body surface area to relate dosage to lean body mass. The dosage may be repeated every 3 to 6 weeks.

Usual Adult Dose for Testicular Cancer:

For use in the treatment of metastatic nonseminomatous testicular cancer: 1000 mcg/m2 intravenously on day 1 as part of a combination regimen with cyclophosphamide, bleomycin, vinblastine, and cisplatin.

Usual Adult Dose for Trophoblastic Disease:

For use in the treatment of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: 12 mcg/kg intravenously daily for five days as a single agent. or 500 mcg intravenously on days 1 and 2 as part of a combination regimen with etoposide, methotrexate, folinic acid, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and cisplatin.

Usual Adult Dose for Malignant Disease:

For use as a component of regional perfusion in the palliative and/or adjunctive treatment of locally recurrent or locoregional solid malignancies: 50 mcg/kg for lower extremity or pelvis or 35 mcg/kg for upper extremity. (Please note that the dosage schedules and the technique itself vary from one investigator to another. Please consult the published literature for details.)

Usual Adult Dose for Osteosarcoma:

600 mcg/m2/day on days 1, 2, and 3 as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen

Usual Adult Dose for Ovarian Cancer:

For use in the treatment of ovarian (germ cell) tumor: 500 mcg/day for 5 days every 4 weeks or 300 mcg/m2/day for 5 days every 4 weeks

Usual Pediatric Dose for Wilms' Tumor:

Greater than 6 months: 15 mcg/kg/day or 400-600 mcg/m2/day intravenously for 5 days (in various combination regimens and schedules). The dosage may be repeated every 3 to 6 weeks.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Ewing's Sarcoma:

Greater than 6 months: 15 mcg/kg/day or 400-600 mcg/m2/day intravenously for 5 days (in various combination regimens and schedules). The dosage may be repeated every 3 to 6 weeks.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Rhabdomyosarcoma:

Greater than 6 months: 15 mcg/kg/day or 400-600 mcg/m2/day intravenously for 5 days (in various combination regimens and schedules). The dosage may be repeated every 3 to 6 weeks.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Testicular Cancer:

For use in the treatment of metastatic nonseminomatous testicular cancer: 1000 mcg/m2 intravenously on day 1 as part of a combination regimen with cyclophosphamide, bleomycin, vinblastine, and cisplatin.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Trophoblastic Disease:

For use in the treatment of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: 12 mcg/kg intravenously daily for five days as a single agent. or 500 mcg intravenously on days 1 and 2 as part of a combination regimen with etoposide, methotrexate, folinic acid, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and cisplatin.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Malignant Disease:

For use as a component of regional perfusion in the palliative and/or adjunctive treatment of locally recurrent or locoregional solid malignancies: 50 mcg/kg for lower extremity or pelvis or 35 mcg/kg for upper extremity. (Please note that the dosage schedules and the technique itself vary from one investigator to another. Please consult the published literature for details.)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Osteosarcoma:

600 mcg/m2/day on days 1, 2, and 3 as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen

What other drugs will affect Dactinomycin/Cosmegen?

The drug should be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional, as it may have interactions with certain medications, such as live vaccines, phenobarbital, or other chemotherapy drugs. It is essential to inform the doctor about all the medications and supplements being taken to avoid any potential drug interactions.

FAQs:

Q: What types of cancer are treated with Dactinomycin?

A: Dactinomycin is commonly used to treat childhood cancers such as Wilms' tumor and rhabdomyosarcoma. It may also be employed in certain adult cancers.

Q: How is Dactinomycin Injection administered?

A: Dactinomycin is administered through injection, either into a vein (intravenous) or a muscle (intramuscular). The specific route of administration is determined by the healthcare professional.

Q: Can Dactinomycin be used alone or in combination with other drugs?

A: Dactinomycin is often used in combination with other chemotherapy medications to enhance treatment efficacy.

Q: Are there any dietary restrictions during Dactinomycin treatment?

A: Your healthcare provider may advise you on specific dietary guidelines to follow while undergoing Dactinomycin therapy.