Actinomycin-D

Dactinomycin or Cosmegen are all the generic name and trade name used for anti-cancer drug Actinomycin-D. An antineoplatic chemotherapy drug it comes under the classified group of alkylating agents.

Uses of Actinomycin-D drug?

Known to treat Wilms’ tumor, germ cell tumors, rhabdomyosarcoma, and Ewing’s sarcoma. Melanoma, gestational trophoblastic diseases, uterine sarcomas, Kaposi’s sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma Dactinomycin or Actinomycin-D is the most recommended intravenous or IV drug.

A vesicant medication which can cause tissue damage if it comes in direct contact this drug should be administered with utmost care and incase of pain or any swelling should be taken into immediate consideration. Administration of the drug depends upon various factors like height, weight, type of cancer and the other body ailments. The dosage also depends upon the above mentioned factors.

The side effects of this drug are rare but then like all cancer drugs there are certain visible side effects at the onset of the treatment until the end of the treatment cycle. The severity of the side effect depends upon the dosage of this drug.

It has also been noticed that there is a low blood count of both the red and white blood cells which could lead to anemia, infection and bleeding. Hair loss, vomiting, nausea, skin allergies, mouth sores, skin reactions dues to exposure to sunlight etc are other side effects of this drug.

Due to the dactinomycin it has also been found that there is a loss of appetite, darkening of the skin especially in the region where radiation therapy was administered, liver problems due to hepatotoxicity, loss of reproductively organs functioning etc.

Some of the more delayed side effects are there are chances of developing secondary cancer within a few months but in some cases it has been prolonged to a few years too.

You need to consult your doctor if the following side effects persists for more than 24 hours at a stretch i.e. nausea, vomiting, passing blood in the stools or urine, diarrhea, bleeding, skin rashes, abdominal swellings and pains, mouth sores etc.

Precautionary methods:

Your doctor needs to be informed about all the medications you are currently upon which includes vitamin supplements as well as herbal medications. Dactinomycin should be avoided in case of chicken pox, avoid immunization or vaccination, exposure to sun should be strictly avoided, conceiving should be avoided, breast feeding should be avoided and any impending pregnancy should be brought into your doctor’s notice as this drug is fatal for fetal growth.

Certain self help tips : Ice should be applied to relieve pain and swelling, increase water intake, avoiding crowded place as it could lead to infections, use of soft bristle toothbrush prevents bleeding gums, contact sports should be avoided to prevent injuries, anti-nausea drugs helps relieve nausea, eating smaller meals at regular intervals is recommended, proper rest and a nutritious diet is highly recommended. Monitoring blood reports helps check the proper functioning of the internal organs.

Cancer is the unchecked division of cells which leads to tumor. Chemotherapy is known to destroy this unchecked cell division by inducing self destruction in these cancerous cells thus preventing the spread of this disease and also helping shrink the tumor. Actinomycin-D helps prevent the growth of RNA and DNA cell structure thus preventing the further spread of cancer.