Dacarbazine
About
Dacarbazine is a chemotherapeutic medicine used in the treatment of skin cancer. Cancer is a condition where the cells grow and reproduce uncontrollably in a specific body part. These cancerous cells can attack and destroy surrounding healthy tissue and organs. Dacarbazine is used in the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma. It is a serious condition in which the cancer grows in melanocytes and also spreads to other parts of the body. Dacarbazine is also used as a second-line therapy in the treatment of Hodgkin’s Disease when used in combination with other approved drugs.
Dacarbazine contains Dacarbazine, which belongs to the class of alkylating agents. It works by inhibiting the DNA and RNA transcription that is essential for protein synthesis. This helps prevent the growth and further spread of cancerous or non-cancerous cells.
Dacarbazine may cause certain side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and pain at the site of injection. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor. Dacarbazine is a parenteral preparation. A trained healthcare professional will administer it.
Dacarbazine should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other components present in it. Let your doctor know about your complete medical history, including medications you take, to rule out any side effects/interactions. Before administration, inform your doctor if you have liver/kidney disease or heart problems. Dacarbazine may cause hemopoietic (bone marrow) depression, hepatic toxicity, and hepatic necrosis in some patients. Hence, careful monitoring of blood and liver functioning should be done during the entire treatment. This medicine is known to cause fetal harm if used in pregnancy. Hence, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant and breastfeeding before taking Dacarbazine.
Uses of Dacarbazine
Medicinal Benefits
Dacarbazine contains Dacarbazine, which belongs to the class of alkylating agents. It works by inhibiting the DNA and RNA transcription that is essential for protein synthesis. This helps prevent the growth and further spread of cancerous or non-cancerous cells.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dacarbazine
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Cough
- Decreased platelet count
- Bruising or bleeding gums
- Pain at the site of injection
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Dacarbazine should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other components present in it. Let your doctor know about your complete medical history, including current medication, to rule out any side effects/interactions. Before administration, inform your doctor if you have liver/kidney disease or cardiac disorders. Dacarbazine may cause hemopoietic (bone marrow) depression, hepatic toxicity, and hepatic necrosis in some patients. Hence, careful monitoring should be done during the entire treatment. This medicine is known to cause fetal harm in pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Hence, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant and breastfeeding. It is unknown whether Dacarbazine can be administered to children or not. If administered, close monitoring of the child is needed. Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking, as it can lead to serious adverse effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Dacarbazine may interact with vaccines, antiretroviral drugs (Abacavir, Zidovudine, adefovir), immunomodulators (Abatacept, Enteracept), anticoagulants (acenocoumarol, warfarin), anticonvulsant drugs (phenytoin, phenobarbitone).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and hemopoietic depression before receiving Dacarbazine.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Dacarbazine to prevent serious side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeDacarbazine is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your fetus. Hence, if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Dacarbazine. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended for use in breastfeeding as it may pass into breast milk and harm your infant. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving Dacarbazine. Your doctor may suggest you stop feeding while on treatment with this medicine.
Driving
cautionDacarbazine will be administered in the hospital setting. Hence, driving is not recommended.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before receiving Dacarbazine. It may cause hepatic necrosis when administered with other antineoplastics. Hence, Dacarbazine should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. A dose adjustment of this medicine or a suitable alternative may be advised based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before receiving Dacarbazine. It should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment. A dose adjustment of this medicine or a suitable alternative may be advised based on your condition.
Children
consult your doctorLimited information is available for the use of Dacarbazine in children. It will be administered to the children only if clearly needed. If administered, careful monitoring of the child is needed.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Include leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty fish, berries, yoghurt, apples, peaches, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beans, and herbs.
- Anyone suffering from a chronic illness, including cancer, should consume foods high in protein, healthy fats, whole grains, and vitamins and minerals.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath or listening to soothing music.
- Avoid going out in the hot sun, as it can harm your skin.
- Get optimal sleep; rest well.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Dacarbazine should be administered only by a trained and experienced oncologist.
- A blood test should be performed, such as LFT and RFT, to check for liver/ and kidney function.
- Weekly blood tests should be done for after the dose is administered to check for CBC (Complete blood count).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Metastatic Malignant Melanoma: Melanoma is a type of skin cancer in which the cancer cells grow in melanocytes. It is mainly caused by harmful UV radiation from the sun. When the cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, it is known as Metastasis. Malignant melanoma is common in fair-skinned and freckled individuals. It results in mole formation, typically on the skin of the face.
Hodgkin’s Disease: Hodgkin’s disease or lymphoma is a blood cancer of a certain type of cells called WBCs, specifically lymphocytes. Lymphocytes normally help control infection and maintain the body's normal immunity. However, in a cancerous state, there is an abnormal multiplication of these blood cells, causing many problems such as fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, itching, night sweats and lymph node swelling.
FAQs
Dacarbazine contains Dacarbazine, which belongs to the alkylating agents class. It works by inhibiting the DNA and RNA transcription that is essential for protein synthesis.
Dacarbazine may cause hemopoietic (bone marrow) depression, hepatic toxicity, and hepatic necrosis in some patients. Hence, inform your oncologist about your complete medical history, including current medication, to rule out any side effects/interactions.
