The protective properties of the extract of Monarda fistulosa var. menthifolia were tested when used together with the antitumor drug etoposide on Drosophila melanogaster. 1%, 10% extracts of M. fistulosa var. menthifolia were tested, separately and together with etoposide at 800 µg kg−1 of nutrient medium. The genotoxic effect was determined using the SMART method. Cytotoxicity was determined by assessing regulated cell death (RCD). While the extract of M. fistulosa var. menthifolia at 1% (20 mg mL−1) did not show genotoxicity, and had antigenotoxicity, reducing the genetic activity of the anticancer drug etoposide, at 10% (200 mg mL−1) it showed geno- and cytotoxicity. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.v