Home :: Drugs :: Dacarbazine

Dacarbazine - Learn about Dacarbazine Side Effects and Precautions

Dacarbazine Information

The pharmacology action of Dacarbazine is that it exact mechanism is unknown. Three mechanisms are hypothesized: 1) inhibition of DNA synthesis by acting as a purine analog; 2) action as an alkylating agent; and 3) interaction with sulfhydryl groups.

Dacarbazine is used in treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma; in combination with other agents as second-line therapy for Hodgkin disease. In combination with cyclophosphamide and vincristine for malignant pheochromocytoma; in combination with other agents for treatment of advanced metastatic soft tissue sarcoma; alone or in combination with other agents for management of Kaposi sarcoma.

Interaction and Contraindication of Dacarbazine

Interaction of Dacarbazine - Not Available

Contraindication of Dacarbazine - Not Available

Side Effects of Dacarbazine

Here are the list of some common side effects of Dacarbazine :

• Alopecia; facial flushing; erythematous and urticarial rashes.
• Anorexia, nausea, vomiting (over 90% with initial few doses).
• Bone marrow suppression
• Abnormal liver or renal function tests
• Myalgia.
• Flu-like syndrome; malaise; facial paresthesia

Precaution and Warning while taking Dacarbazine

The precaution and warnings of Dacarbazine drug is as follows:

• Advise patient, family, or caregiver that medication will be prepared and administered by health care providers in a health care setting.
• Advise patient, family, or caregiver that medication may be used in combination with other agents, including antiemetics and sedatives, to achieve max benefit possible.
• Advise patient, family, or caregiver that restricting food intake for 4 to 6 hr before treatment may help reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Advise patient, family, or caregiver to immediately report any of the following to health care provider: rash; hives; difficulty breathing; fever, chills, or other signs of infection; unusual bleeding or bruising; pain, redness, or swelling at injection site.
• Advise patient, family, or caregiver to report any of the following to health care provider: persistent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or appetite loss; persistent or worsening general body weakness.
• Advise patient, family, or caregiver that hair loss is a common side effect of therapy, but that this is usually reversible after therapy has been completed.
• Instruct patient not to take any prescription or OTC medications, herbal preparations, or dietary supplements unless advised by health care provider.
• Caution women of childbearing potential to avoid becoming pregnant during therapy.
• Advise women to notify health care provider if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How to store Dacarbazine

• Dose and frequency of administration vary with condition being treated and clinical situation.
• Follow institutional and NIH procedures for handling, administration, and disposal of anticancer drugs.
• Reconstitute 100 mg vial with 9.9 mL sterile water for injection. Reconstitute 200 mg vial with 19.7 mL sterile water for injection. Resulting solution contains 10 mg/mL of dacarbazine.
• Reconstituted solution may be further diluted with 5% dextrose injection or sodium chloride injection for administration as an IV infusion.
• Do not administer if particulate matter, cloudiness, or discoloration is noted.
• To reduce GI side effects, restrict the patient's food intake for 4 to 6 hr prior to treatment if possible.
• Store unopened vials in refrigerator (36° to 46°F). Protect from light. Store reconstituted solution in vial at 39.2°F for up to 72 hr or at normal room conditions for up to 8 hr. If reconstituted solution is further diluted with 5% dextrose injection or sodium chloride injection, store diluted solution at 39.3°F for up to 24 hr or at normal room conditions for up to 8 hr.