DACTINOMYCIN: 2,858 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile
Boost Your Natural Energy & Metabolism
Mitolyn — 6 exotic plants to unlock your body's fat-burning power. 90-day guarantee.
Drug Class: Actinomycin [EPC] · Route: INTRAVENOUS · Manufacturer: Eugia US LLC · FDA Application: 050682 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available
First Report: 1976 · Latest Report: 20250706
What Are the Most Common DACTINOMYCIN Side Effects?
All DACTINOMYCIN Side Effects by Frequency
| Side Effect | Reports | % of Total | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off label use | 391 | 13.7% | 77 | 63 |
| Febrile neutropenia | 226 | 7.9% | 23 | 144 |
| Neutropenia | 205 | 7.2% | 18 | 67 |
| Product use in unapproved indication | 203 | 7.1% | 45 | 17 |
| Drug ineffective | 181 | 6.3% | 59 | 43 |
| Disease progression | 151 | 5.3% | 59 | 10 |
| Vomiting | 119 | 4.2% | 20 | 54 |
| Anaemia | 109 | 3.8% | 5 | 46 |
| Thrombocytopenia | 106 | 3.7% | 5 | 47 |
| Malignant neoplasm progression | 103 | 3.6% | 50 | 3 |
| Stomatitis | 103 | 3.6% | 1 | 57 |
| Maternal exposure before pregnancy | 99 | 3.5% | 1 | 0 |
| Acute myeloid leukaemia | 98 | 3.4% | 63 | 6 |
| Ovarian failure | 92 | 3.2% | 0 | 1 |
| Drug resistance | 87 | 3.0% | 24 | 12 |
| Myelosuppression | 84 | 2.9% | 9 | 43 |
| Venoocclusive liver disease | 83 | 2.9% | 14 | 21 |
| Bone marrow failure | 82 | 2.9% | 10 | 13 |
| Nausea | 81 | 2.8% | 4 | 30 |
| Second primary malignancy | 77 | 2.7% | 47 | 1 |
Who Reports DACTINOMYCIN Side Effects? Age & Gender Data
Gender: 65.9% female, 34.1% male. Average age: 18.8 years. Most reports from: US. View detailed demographics →
Is DACTINOMYCIN Getting Safer? Reports by Year
| Year | Reports | Deaths | Hosp. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 7 | 3 | 3 |
| 2009 | 12 | 2 | 3 |
| 2010 | 20 | 2 | 8 |
| 2011 | 14 | 7 | 5 |
| 2012 | 16 | 0 | 11 |
| 2013 | 11 | 1 | 9 |
| 2014 | 28 | 2 | 11 |
| 2015 | 21 | 0 | 13 |
| 2016 | 55 | 4 | 27 |
| 2017 | 80 | 11 | 20 |
| 2018 | 88 | 0 | 52 |
| 2019 | 79 | 3 | 62 |
| 2020 | 80 | 6 | 50 |
| 2021 | 42 | 0 | 24 |
| 2022 | 35 | 5 | 20 |
| 2023 | 56 | 4 | 31 |
| 2024 | 49 | 3 | 33 |
| 2025 | 21 | 1 | 15 |
What Is DACTINOMYCIN Used For?
| Indication | Reports |
|---|---|
| Gestational trophoblastic tumour | 360 |
| Ewing's sarcoma | 282 |
| Nephroblastoma | 278 |
| Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma | 271 |
| Rhabdomyosarcoma | 220 |
| Choriocarcinoma | 210 |
| Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma | 134 |
| Product used for unknown indication | 95 |
| Chemotherapy | 89 |
| Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour of cns | 61 |
DACTINOMYCIN vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?
Official FDA Label for DACTINOMYCIN
Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.
Drug Description
Dactinomycin is an actinomycin. Dactinomycin is produced by Streptomyces parvullus . The chemical name is 8-amino-N-(2-amino-4,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-phenoxazin-1-yl)carbonyl-N'-[8-amino-4,6-dimethyl-7-oxo-9-[[3,6,10-trimethyl-7,14-bis(1-methylethyl)-2,5,8,12,15-pentaoxo-9-oxa-3,6,13,16-tetrazabicyclo[14.3.0]nonadec-11-yl]carbamoyl]phenoxazin-1-yl]carbonyl-4,6-dimethyl-7-oxo-N,N'-bis[3,6,10-trimethyl-7,14-bis(1-methylethyl)-2,5,8,12,15-pentaoxo-9-oxa-3,6,13,16 tetrazabicyclo[14.3.0]nonadec-11-yl]-1,9-bis[[3,6,10-trimethyl-7,14-bis(1-methylethyl)-2,5,8,12,15-pentaoxo-9-oxa-3,6,13,16-tetrazabicyclo[14.3.0] nonadec-11-yl]carbamoyl]phenoxazine-1,9-dicarboxamide. The molecular formula is C 62 H 86 N 12 O 16 and the molecular weight is 1255.42 daltons. The structural formula of dactinomycin is shown below: Dactinomycin for Injection, USP for intravenous use is a sterile, amorphous yellow to orange, lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial. Each vial contains 500 mcg of dactinomycin and 20 mg of mannitol.
Structural
Formula of Dactinomycin
FDA Approved Uses (Indications)
AND USAGE Dactinomycin for injection is an actinomycin indicated for the treatment of: adult and pediatric patients with Wilms tumor, as part of a multi-phase, combination chemotherapy regimen. ( 1.1 ) adult and pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma, as part of a multi-phase, combination chemotherapy regimen. ( 1.2 ) adult and pediatric patients with Ewing sarcoma, as part of a multi-phase, combination chemotherapy regimen. ( 1.3 ) adult and pediatric patients with metastatic, nonseminomatous testicular cancer, as part of a multi-phase, combination chemotherapy regimen. ( 1.4 ) post-menarchal patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, as a single agent or as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen. ( 1.5 ) adult patients with locally recurrent or locoregional solid malignancies, as a component of palliative or adjunctive regional perfusion. ( 1.6 )
1.1 Wilms Tumor Dactinomycin for injection is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with Wilms tumor, as part of a multi-phase, combination chemotherapy regimen.
1.2 Rhabdomyosarcoma Dactinomycin for injection is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma, as part of a multi-phase, combination chemotherapy regimen.
1.3 Ewing Sarcoma Dactinomycin for injection is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with Ewing sarcoma, as part of a multi-phase, combination chemotherapy regimen.
1.4 Metastatic Nonseminomatous Testicular Cancer Dactinomycin for injection is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with metastatic, nonseminomatous testicular cancer, as part of a multi-phase, combination chemotherapy regimen.
1.5 Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia Dactinomycin for injection is indicated for the treatment of post-menarchal patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, as a single agent or as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.
1.6 Regional Perfusion in Locally Recurrent and Locoregional Solid Malignancies Dactinomycin for injection is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally recurrent or locoregional solid malignancies, as a component of palliative or adjunctive regional perfusion.
Dosage & Administration
AND ADMINISTRATION Wilms Tumor: The recommended dose is 45 mcg/kg intravenously once every 3 to 6 weeks for up to 26 weeks, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen. ( 2.1 ) Rhabdomyosarcoma: The recommended dose is 15 mcg/kg intravenously once daily for 5 days every 3 to 9 weeks for up to 112 weeks, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen. ( 2.2 )
Ewing
Sarcoma: The recommended dose is 1250 mcg/m 2 intravenously once every 3 weeks for 51 weeks, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen. ( 2.3 )
Metastatic Nonseminomatous Testicular
Cancer: The recommended dose is 1000 mcg/m 2 intravenously every 3 weeks, as part of cisplatin-based, multi-drug chemotherapy regimen. ( 2.4 )
Gestational Trophoblastic
Neoplasia: o Non-metastatic and Low-risk Metastatic Disease: The recommended dose is 12 mcg/kg intravenously daily for 5 days, as a single agent. ( 2.5 ) o High-risk Metastatic Disease: The recommended dose is 500 mcg intravenously on Days 1 and 2 every 2 weeks for up to 8 weeks, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen. ( 2.5 )
Regional
Perfusion in Locally Recurrent and Locoregional Solid Malignancies: o Lower Extremity or Pelvis: The recommend dose is 50 mcg/kg once with melphalan. ( 2.6 ) o Upper Extremity: The recommended dose is 35 mcg/kg once with melphalan. ( 2.6 )
2.1 Recommended Dosage for Wilms Tumor The recommended dose of dactinomycin for injection, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen, is 45 mcg/kg intravenously once every 3 to 6 weeks for up to 26 weeks.
2.2 Recommended Dosage for Rhabdomyosarcoma The recommended dose of dactinomycin for injection, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen, is 15 mcg/kg intravenously once daily for 5 days every 3 to 9 weeks for up to 112 weeks.
2.3 Recommended Dosage for Ewing Sarcoma The recommended dose of dactinomycin for injection, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen, is 1,250 mcg/m 2 intravenously once every 3 weeks for 51 weeks.
2.4 Recommended Dosage for Metastatic Nonseminomatous Testicular Cancer The recommended dose of dactinomycin for injection, as part of a cisplatin-based, multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen, is 1,000 mcg/m 2 intravenously once every 3 weeks for 12 weeks.
2.5 Recommended Dosage for Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia The recommended dose of dactinomycin for injection for nonmetastatic and low-risk metastatic disease is 12 mcg/kg intravenously daily for five days as a single agent. The recommended dose of dactinomycin for injection, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen, for high-risk metastatic disease is 500 mcg intravenously on Days 1 and 2 every 2 weeks for up to 8 weeks.
2.6 Recommended Dosage for Regional Perfusion in Locally Recurrent and Locoregional Solid Malignancies The recommended dose of dactinomycin for injection, in combination with melphalan, is 50 mcg/kg once for lower extremity or pelvis. The recommended dose of dactinomycin for injection, in combination with melphalan, is 35 mcg/kg once for upper extremity. Calculate the dose for obese or edematous patients based on ideal body weight.
2.7 Preparation and Administration o Dactinomycin for injection is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures. 1 o Visually inspect the vials for particulate matter and discoloration, whenever solution and container permit. Preparation
- Reconstitute each vial by adding 1.1 mL of Sterile Water for Injection without preservative using aseptic techniques.
- The reconstituted product should be a clear, gold-colored solution at a concentration of 500 mcg/mL.
- Further dilute the reconstituted product with 5% Dextrose Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection to yield concentrations greater than 10 mcg/mL.
- Store at room temperature for no more than 4 hours from reconstitution to completion of injection or infusion. Discard after 4 hours.
- Dactinomycin for injection does not contain a preservative. Discard any unused portions. Administration
- Administer the diluted reconstituted product intravenously over 10 to 15 minutes.
- Do not use in-line filters with a cellulose ester membrane. Management of Extravasation
- Discontinue dactinomycin for injection for burning or stinging sensation or other evidence indicating perivenous infiltration or extravasation.
- Manage confirmed or suspected extravasation as follows: o Terminate the injection or infusion immediately and restart in another vein. o Intermittent application of ice to the site for 15 minutes 4 times daily for 3 days [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ].
Contraindications
None. None. ( 4 )
Known Adverse Reactions
REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Secondary Malignancy and Leukemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Veno-occlusive Disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Extravasation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Myelosuppression [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] Immunizations [see Warning and Precautions ( 5.5 )]
Severe Mucocutaneous
Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )]
Renal
Toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] Potentiation of Radiation Toxicity and Radiation Recall [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] Common adverse reactions are: infection, alopecia, rash, dysphagia, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, mucositis, and hepatotoxicity. The following adverse reactions have been identified in clinical studies or postmarketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Infections: infections including sepsis with fatal outcome Hematologic : anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia, reticulocytopenia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation Immune system: hypersensitivity Metabolism and nutrition: anorexia, hypocalcemia, tumor lysis syndrome Nervous system: peripheral neuropathy Ocular: optic neuropathy Vascular: thrombophlebitis, hemorrhage Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal: pneumonitis, pneumothorax Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, gastrointestinal ulceration, cheilitis, dysphagia, esophagitis, ulcerative stomatitis, ascites, proctitis, mucositis Hepatobiliary: liver function test abnormalities, hepatomegaly, hepatitis, hepatic failure with reports of death, hepatic veno-occlusive disease Dermatologic: alopecia, rash, dermatitis, acne, erythema multiforme, Stevens Johnson Syndrome, radiation recall, toxic epidermal necrolysis Musculoskeletal and connective tissue: myalgia, growth retardation Renal and urinary: renal impairment, renal failure General: fatigue, fever, malaise Common adverse reactions are: infection, alopecia, rash, dysphagia, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, mucositis, and hepatotoxicity ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hisun Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., at 1-855-554-4786 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Warnings
AND PRECAUTIONS Secondary Malignancy or Leukemia: Increased risk of secondary malignancies following treatment. ( 5.1 ) Veno-occlusive Disease: Can cause severe or fatal VOD. Monitor for elevations in AST, ALT, total bilirubin, hepatomegaly, weight gain, or ascites. Consider delaying next dose. ( 5.2 ) Extravasation: Immediately interrupt the injection or infusion and apply ice. ( 2.7 , 5.3 ) Myelosuppression: Monitor blood cell counts before each cycle. Delay next dose if severe myelosuppression has not improved. ( 5.4 ) Immunizations: Vaccination with live viral vaccines is not recommended before or during treatment. ( 5.5 )
Severe Mucocutaneous
Reactions: Discontinue treatment ( 5.6 )
Renal
Toxicity: Monitor creatinine and electrolytes frequently. ( 5.7 ) Hepatotoxicity: Monitor transaminases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin prior to and during treatment. ( 5.8 ) Potentiation of Radiation Toxicity and Radiation Recall: Reduce dose by 50% during concomitant radiation. Use caution when administering within two months of radiation. ( 5.9 ) Embryo-fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception. ( 5.10 , 8.1 , 8.3 )