Dactinotec 0.5 Injection is used for the treatment of several kinds of cancer such as some kinds of cancer that affect the testicles (testicular cancer), uterus or womb (gestational trophoblastic neoplasia), kidneys (Wilms' tumor), bones and muscles (Ewing's sarcoma).
Dactinotec 0.5 Injection works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. It is given under the supervision of a healthcare professional and should not be self-administered. It might be given as a single therapy or in combination with some other medication. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. You should avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase your risk of liver damage.
The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, mouth ulcers and loss of appetite. If they do not go away or get worse, tell your doctor. There may be ways of preventing or reducing these effects. It is very strong medicine and some people may develop serious side effects while taking it. This medicine may lower your ability to fight infections and lead to problems with your blood, liver or kidneys. Your doctor will advise you regular blood tests to check for these.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It may harm your baby. You and your partner should avoid becoming pregnant or fathering a child for several months after your treatment with it has stopped. Your doctor may perform several tests such as blood tests, and physical examinations both before and during treatment with this medicine.
Testicular cancer is the cancer in the male organs called testicles, that make male hormones and sperm. The testicles are located inside a loose bag of skin (scrotum) underneath the penis. Dactinotec 0.5 Injection kills or stops the growth of cancer cells and also prevents the multiplication of cancer cells in men. It is given as an injection by a doctor or nurse and should not be self-administered.
In Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), is a rare tumor that develops inside the uterus from the tissue that forms after the female conceives (successful fusion of sperm and egg). Dactinotec 0.5 Injection is given to kill such kinds of tumor cells and prevent their further growth. This medicine is given only under medical guidance. Consult your doctor if you have any doubts.
Side effects of Dactinotec Injection
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Dactinotec
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Glossitis (tongue inflammation)
Lip inflammation
Diarrhea
Inflammation of the rectum
Low blood platelets
How to use Dactinotec Injection
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Dactinotec Injection works
Dactinotec 0.5 Injection is an anti-cancer medication. It works by damaging the genetic material (DNA) of the cancer cells and stops their growth and multiplication.
Safety advice
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Dactinotec 0.5 Injection. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Dactinotec 0.5 Injection is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Dactinotec 0.5 Injection is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether Dactinotec 0.5 Injection alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Dactinotec 0.5 Injection is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Dactinotec 0.5 Injection may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Dactinotec 0.5 Injection in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
What if you forget to take Dactinotec Injection?
If you miss a dose of Dactinotec 0.5 Injection, please consult your doctor.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Do not use Dactinomycin with Purified Vi Polysaccharide Typhoid Vaccine. If Purified Vi Polysaccharide Typhoid Vaccine is essential, ensure a gap of At least 6 months after discont... More
Do not use Dactinomycin with Cholera Vaccine (Inactivated). If Cholera Vaccine (Inactivated) is essential, ensure a gap of At least 6 months after discontinuing Dactinomycin. Pleas... More
Do not use Dactinomycin with Herpes Zoster / Shingles Vaccine (Recombinant, Adjuvanted). If Herpes Zoster / Shingles Vaccine (Recombinant, Adjuvanted) is essential, ensure a gap of... More
Sir my first child suffered from wlims tumor. Now she is fine after treatment. Sir i want to know will my second child who is in mother womb can have such problems. Sir pls advise me what to do?
Dr. Sanjay Singh Rai
Medical Oncology and Hematology
Wilms tumor can be hereditaryGo for routine prenatal tests only
Sir, cancer tumor ka dard kam karneki koi homeopathic dawa bataiye please.
Dr. Manju Singh
Homeopathy
I would like to suggest you that please consult the nearest homeopathy doctor for this as your case require the detail case taking and observation. You can use homeopathy medicines as supportive treatment in your case.
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References
Chabner BA, Bertino J, Cleary J, et al. Cytotoxic Agents. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. p. 1712-13.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 348-49.
Dactinomycin. Immeuble Le Wilson: Orphan Europe SARL; 2006 [revised Jun. 2013]. [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:
