Actinomycin D

Actinomycin D (also known as dactinomycin) is a chemotherapy medicine which is used to treat certain types of cancer. This information sheet explains what actinomycin D is, how it is given and some of the possible side effects. Each person reacts differently to medicines, so your child will not necessarily suffer from every side effect mentioned. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Actinomycin D is given as an injection into a vein (intravenously or IV) through a cannula, central venous catheter or implantable port.

Anti-sickness drugs can be given to reduce or prevent these symptoms. Please tell your doctor or nurse if your child’s sickness is very bad or continues for more than a few days.

Your child may get painful or bleeding gums, ulcers or a sore mouth. You will be given advice about appropriate mouth care including a copy of our leaflet. If your child complains of having a sore mouth, please tell your doctor or nurse.

There will be a temporary reduction in how well your child’s bone marrow works. This means they may become anaemic (reduced red blood cells), bruise or bleed more easily than usual, and have a higher risk of infection.

Your child’s blood counts will be checked regularly to see how the bone marrow is working. Please tell your doctor if your child seems unusually tired, has bruising, bleeding or any signs of infection, especially a high temperature.

Your child may lose all their hair or it may become thinner. This is temporary and the hair will grow back once the treatment has finished.

Please tell your doctor or nurse if your child has diarrhoea or stomach pain which is very bad or continues for more than a few days. It is important that your child drinks lots of fluids.

Sometimes actinomycin D may cause your child’s skin to become red and sore in the areas which have recently been treated with radiotherapy.

Actinomycin D may change how well your child’s liver works. These changes may happen rapidly. Blood tests (LFTs) will be taken to monitor your child’s liver function during treatment. Please discuss this with your doctor.

Some medicines can react with actinomycin D, altering how well it works. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicine, including medicines on prescription from your family doctor (GP), medicines bought from a pharmacy (chemist) or any herbal or complementary medicines.

If actinomycin D leaks into the tissues underneath your child’s skin, they can damage the tissue in this area. This is called extravasation.

• If given through a cannula and your child complains of stinging and burning around the cannula, please tell your doctor or nurse immediately.
• If given through a central venous catheter or implantable port and your child complains of pain around their chest or neck, please tell your doctor or nurse immediately.