How does this medicine work?
Dactinomycin (dak-ti-noh-mye-sin) is a chemotherapy medicine that destroys cancer cells in all phases of cell life.
How is the medicine given?
Dactinomycin is given into a vein (IV) in the hospital or clinic.
What are the side effects?
Expected
- low blood counts
Common
- moderate to severe nausea and vomiting
- skin sensitivity to sunlight
- hair loss
Occasional
- diarrhea
- acne-like skin rash
- mouth sores
- may “reactivate” redness in a site of previous radiation
- darkening of skin
Rare
- liver damage
When should I call the clinic?
Call hematology helpline 982403210 if:
- fever, chills
- cough
- hoarseness
- bleeding
- unusual bruising
- mouth sores
- continued vomiting or diarrhea
- skin irritation
- skin rash
- sunburn
- signs of allergic reaction:
- sudden rash or hives
- itching
- wheezing
- trouble breathing – call 112
- sudden rash or hives