What it means
A cancer drug, also called actinomycin D, that binds the DNA of cancer cells and stops them making RNA. It treats Wilms tumorVILMZ TOO-merA cancer of the kidney that develops in young children.Full entry , rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and some tumors that grow from pregnancy tissue. It is a vesicant: if it leaks out of the vein, it badly damages the tissue around it. Common effects are nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, hair loss and low blood counts.
For the nurse
ISMP lists chemotherapy as high-alert. Check the IV site and blood return before and during the infusion; stop at once and follow the extravasation policy if the site swells, burns or hurts. Handle it as a hazardous drug, and watch blood counts and the mouth for sores.
At a glance
| Drug class | antineoplastic (antitumor antibiotic) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Cosmegen |
| Spanish | dactinomicina |
| Also written | actinomycin D |
Related terms
antineoplastic
A drug used to treat cancer by killing cancer cells or stopping them from growing and dividing.
Wilms tumor
A cancer of the kidney that develops in young children.