Dactinomycin Pharmacology

Dactinomycin

About Dactinomycin
Polypeptide Antibiotic, One of the actinomycins, Antineoplastic, transcription inhibitor.
Mechanism of Action of Dactinomycin
This anthracycline antibiotic damage DNA by intercalating between base pairs results in uncoiling of the helix, ultimately inhibiting DNA synthesis and DNA dependant RNA synthesis. It also inhibits polymerase activity, affecting regulation of gene expression and generating free radicals. Its cytotoxic activity is cell cyclic, non-specific. But it shows some activity at S phase.

Pharmacokinets of Dactinomycin
Absorption - Rapidly absorbed after intravenous administration
Distribution - Widely distributed in the body. It cross the blood brain barrier.50 to 60% bound to the plasma proteins.
Metabolism -Metabolized in the liver to its active metabolite and inactive metabolites. Daunorubicinol is its active metabolite.
Excretion -Excreted via urine and feces.

Onset of Action for Dactinomycin
N/A
Duration of Action for Dactinomycin
N/A
Half Life of Dactinomycin
4 ? hrs
Side Effects of Dactinomycin
1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Lowered resistance to infection
4. Bruising or unusual bleeding
5. Anemia
6. Weakness
7. Sore in mouth
8. Taste changes
9. Diarrhea
10. Loss of appetite
11. Visual changes
12. Black, tarry stools
13. Blood in urine or in stool
14. Cough or hoarseness
15. Fever
16. Chills
17. Lower back or side pain
18. Painful or difficult urination
19. Pinpoint red spot on skin
20. Slurred speech
21. Swelling on leg or lower leg
22. Shortness of breath
23. Bloody vomiting
24. Thinned or brittle hair
25. Mouth blistering
26. Thrombocytopenia
27. Leucopenia
28. Coma
29. Seizures
30. Pancytopenia
31. Agranulocytosis
32. Aplastic anemia
33. Myalgia
34. Hypocalcemia
35. Alopecia

Contra-indications of Dactinomycin
1. Hypersensitivity to the drug
2. Chicken pox
3. Herpes zoster
Special Precautions while taking Dactinomycin
1.GI toxicity and bone marrow suppression are results when it given with radiation
2.Discontinue the treatment if there is stomatitis, diarrhea or sever hematopoetic depression
Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Contraindicated
Children Related Information
Use with caution
NEONATES- Contraindicated
Indications for Dactinomycin
1. Uterine cancer
2. Testicular cancer
3. Wilm`s tumor
4. Rhabdomyosarcoma
5. Ewing`s sarcoma
6. Sarcoma
7. Botyroides
8. Kaposi`s sarcoma
9. Acute organ (kidney or heart) rejection
10. Malignant melanoma
11. Lymphocytic leukemia
12. Breast cancer
13. Ovarian cancer
14. Paget`s disease of bone
15. Choriocarcinoma
Interactions for Dactinomycin
May interfere with bioassay procedure for determination of antibacterial drug levels.

Typical Dosage for Dactinomycin
Intravenous-
Adult-
General dose-2.5mg/metre square in divided doses over 1week, repeated every 2 weeks OR 400-600mcg/metre square/day for 5 days, repeated every 3-6 weeks
Children-
General dose-15mcg/kg/day OR 400-600mcg/metre square/day for 5 days every 3-6 weeks
Schedule of Dactinomycin
N/A
Storage Requirements for Dactinomycin
Stored at 15-30 degree C. Protect from light and humidity
Effects of Missed Dosage of Dactinomycin
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Dactinomycin
Give symptomatic and supportive treatment which include blood components transfusion and antiemetics

Home Delivery for Dactinomycin in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including dactinomycin.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for dactinomycin and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for dactinomycin may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take dactinomycin only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for dactinomycin before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for dactinomycin with the pharmacy.

Dactinomycin is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for dactinomycin might be better known than dactinomycin itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have dactinomycin in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for dactinomycin.