DACARBAZINE

Dacarbazine is an alkylating agent used in cancer treatment. It received approval in May 1975 for the management of metastatic malignant melanoma.

Dacarbazine has been developed as a first-line agent to treat advanced and metastatic malignant melanoma. This drug is also prescribed to treat Hodgkin’s disease.

Dacarbazine will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. This injection will be given intravenously into a vein in your arm or hand. Do not self-administer this medicine. The specific dose and schedule of administration depend on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. This injection is usually given about 30 minutes before you receive your anti-cancer medicine (chemotherapy). During the infusion, you will be monitored for any side effects or reactions to the medication. It is important to get the dose at the scheduled time. If you missed the schedule, contact your doctor and reschedule the dose.

The common side effects that are likely to occur while you are on the treatment with Dacarbazine are Low levels of RBC, WBC and platelets in blood, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and skin reactions. If you experience any allergic or unusual reactions after taking this medicine, report to your doctor immediately.

It is not recommended to take Dacarbazine if you are allergic to this drug or any of its ingredients. During the treatment, your doctor may periodically monitor your complete blood counts, prothrombin time, INR, blood sugar, electrolytes, liver panel, and kidney parameters to prevent serious complications. You should not have a live vaccine if you are having this drug. This is because it may weaken your immune system and make you more likely to catch a serious infection.

Dacarbazine can lower the body's ability to fight infection and cause anaemia, bleeding problems, and other side effects. Patients should be monitored for signs of infection, such as fever or sore throat, and for any unusual bleeding or bruising. This drug is not recommended during pregnancy as it causes harm to the unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider before beginning this treatment if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby. It is advised for both men and women to follow proper contraceptive methods during and for 3 months after the last dose of this drug. It is not known whether it is excreted in human milk, so breastfeeding should be avoided during treatment with the drug. This drug may cause pain along the vein. If you feel pain, tell your nurse straight away so that the infusion site can be checked. They may give the drug more slowly or flush it through with more fluids to reduce pain.

Dacarbazine may cause skin dryness; use of an effective moisturiser is recommended. Maintain adequate hydration and a balanced diet during treatment. Nausea and vomiting may occur; anti-emetic medication should be considered as needed. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if dizziness or tiredness develops during treatment. The medicine increases risk of sunburn; prolonged sun exposure should be avoided and protective clothing and sunscreen should be worn.

Medac, [Revised on Jul 2020] [Accessed on 27th March 2023] https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/1d9264f6-b924-4af9-9b27-af9c9593d4a3.pdf Hospira, Inc., [Revised on Apr 2021] [Accessed on 27th March 2023], http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=5938 Devendra Choudhary, Hanmant Goykar, Dnyaneshwar Kalyane, Nagaraja Sreeharsha, Rakesh K.Tekade, Prodrug design for improving the biopharmaceutical properties of therapeutic drugs, The Future of Pharmaceutical Product Development and Research, 1st Edition, 2020, 179-226. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Chemotherapy of neoplastic diseases, 12th edition, 2011, 1686 and 1687. Bertram.G.Katzung, Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Cancer Chemotherapeutic drugs, 14th edition, 2017, 956. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 861.