Basic Profile / Key Facts
Drug Category
- Antibiotics
- Anti-bacterial Agents
- Antineoplastic Agents
Dosage Forms
- Injectable and parenteral solution
Indications
For the treatment of Wilms' tumor, childhood rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma and metastatic, nonseminomatous testicular cancer as part of a combination chemotherapy and/or multi-modality treatment regimen
Pharmacology
Generally, the actinomycins exert an inhibitory effect on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and on some fungi. However, the toxic properties of the actinomycins (including dactinomycin) in relation to antibacterial activity are such as to preclude their use as antibiotics in the treatment of infectious diseases. Because the actinomycins are cytotoxic, they have an antineoplastic effect which has been demonstrated in experimental animals with various types of tumor implant. This cytotoxic action is the basis for their use in the treatment of certain types of cancer. Dactinomycin is believed to produce its cytotoxic effects by binding DNA and inhibiting RNA synthesis.
Mechanism of Action
Good evidence exists that this drug bind strongly, but reversibly, to DNA, interfering with synthesis of RNA and, consequently, with protein synthesis.
Absorption
poorly absorbed from gastrointestinal tract
Toxicity
hepatoxicity
Biotrnasformation / Drug Metabolism
hepatic
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to any component of this product.
COSMEGEN should not be given at or about the time of infection with chickenpox or herpes zoster because of the
risk of severe generalized disease which may result in death.
Drug Interactions
Drug/LaboratoryTest Interactions
Dactinomycin may interfere with bioassay procedures for the determination of antibacterial drug levels.
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