Dactinomycin IV

In Depth

Pain/sores in the mouth and throat may occur. Brush your teeth gently/carefully, avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol, and rinse your mouth frequently with cool water mixed with baking soda or salt. It may also be best to eat soft, moist foods. Tell your doctor immediately if these effects persist/worsen or if you have trouble swallowing.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

unusual weakness/tiredness
muscle/joint pain
stomach pain
swelling hands/ankles/feet (edema)
pain/redness/swelling of arms/legs
coughing up blood
vomit that looks like coffee grounds
unusual bleeding/bruising
bloody/black/tarry stools

This medication may cause certain severe blood and bone marrow problems (low red blood cells/white blood cells/platelets). These problems can affect your body's ability to stop bleeding or fight infection. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop easy bleeding/bruising or signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat).

When dactinomycin is given after radiation treatment, it can sometimes cause a serious skin reaction that looks likes a severe sunburn (radiation recall). The reaction usually develops within days to months after treatment on the skin area previously treated with radiation. Throat problems can also be part of radiation recall with dactinomycin. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop skin redness/tenderness/swelling/peeling/blisters or painful/difficult swallowing. If you develop a skin reaction, avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

severe abdominal pain
lower back/side (flank) pain
yellowing skin/eyes
red/pinkish/dark urine
painful/difficult urination
change in the amount of urine

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:

rash
itching
swelling
severe dizziness
trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Dactinomycin IV Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

< Page 1 2 >