What is Dacarbazine?
Dacarbazine is used to combat skin cancer (malignant melanoma) and Hodgkin's disease. Dacarbazine can also be employed for other purposes that are not covered in this guideline.
Side effects of Dacarbazine
Contact a medical professional immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you notice symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue. Dacarbazine may cause serious side effects. Consult your physician immediately. If you suffer from:
- Low blood cell count low blood cell counts: fever, chills, fatigue, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, abnormal bleeding, pale skin, cold feet and hands, being lightheaded or weak.
- Problems with the liver: loss of appetite nausea (upper right side) fatigue, itching, dark urine, stools that are clay-colored, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
Common adverse effects of dacarbazine could be:
- Loss in appetite, nausea.
This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Dacarbazine increases the chances of bleeding and infections. Consult your physician if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising or if you notice new symptoms of infection (fever weakening, cough, diarrhea, and burning whenever you are urinating).
Before you take this drug
You shouldn't use dacarbazine if you have an allergy to it.
Speak to your doctor if you have ever suffered from:
- Liver disease.
- A bleeding or blood clotting disorder.
- Bone marrow suppression.
It is unclear if dacarbazine is harmful to an unborn child. Inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant. Breastfeeding is not advised during treatment with dacarbazine.
How to take Dacarbazine?
Dacarbazine is injected as an injection into the vein. The healthcare professional will give the injection. To prevent nausea or vomiting, you should avoid eating any food for between 4 and 6 hours prior to the injection. Contact your physician. If you experience any pain, burning, or swelling in the area of your IV needle when dacarbazine has been administered, Dacarbazine can be given for 5–10 days at a time, every 3–4 weeks. In the case of Hodgkin's disease, you might only be treated with dacarbazine for one day every 15 days. Your physician will determine the length of time you will be treated with dacarbazine. Dacarbazine increases the chances of contracting an infection or bleeding. You'll need regular medical tests. Your cancer treatment may be delayed depending on the results.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Malignant Melanoma:
4.5 mg/kg IV twice a day over 10 days. Repeat every 4 weeks.
250 mg/m2 IV every day, for 5 consecutive days. Repeat every 3 weeks.
Use: To treat metastatic malignant melanoma
Usual Adult Dose for Hodgkin's Disease:
150 mg/m2 IV twice daily for 5 days of the combination treatment; repeat each time for 4 weeks.
325 mg/m2 IV on Day 1 of combination therapy Repeat every 15 days.
Use: For Hodgkin's disease as a second-line treatment when combined with other drugs
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor for advice. If you do not make the appointment for an injection of dacarbazine.
What happens if I overdose?
Because dacarbazine is administered by a health specialist in a medical setting, it is highly unlikely for an overdose to occur.
What should be avoided?
Avoid being in the company of those who are sick or infected. Inform your doctor immediately when you begin to show symptoms of an infection. Do not get a "live" vaccine while using dacarbazine. The vaccine might not function in the same way during this period and could not fully safeguard you against disease. Measles is a live virus that includes rubella, mumps (MMR), rotavirus, yellow fever, typhoid varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and the nasal influenza (influenza) vaccine.
Interaction with other drugs
Other medications can affect dacarbazine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your physician about all the medicines you are currently taking as well as any medications you are about to start or stop taking.
