Dacarbazine (By injection)
da-KAR-ba-zeen
Treats skin cancer and Hodgkin disease.
Drug classes
Antineoplastic Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Dacarbazine belongs to the group of medicines called alkylating agents. It is used to treat cancer of the lymph system and malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer). It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor.
Dacarbazine interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by dacarbazine, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may not be serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for months or years after the medicine is used.
Before you begin treatment with dacarbazine, you and your doctor should talk about the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of using it.
Dacarbazine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, dacarbazine is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Cancer of the islet cells (a part of the pancreas)
Soft tissue sarcomas (a cancer of the muscles, tendons, vessels that carry blood or lymph, joints, and fat)
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Dacarbazine can affect how some medicines work. Talk to your doctor before you get any vaccines, such as flu shots.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to dacarbazine.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver or kidney disease.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Bone marrow suppression Liver problemsThis medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Dark urine, pale stools, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
Hair loss
Flushing in the face
Mild nausea or vomiting
Pain, itching, or burning where the needle is placed
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Dacarbazine, Dtic-Dome
There may be other brand names for this medicine.