Dacarbazine

The recommended dose of dacarbazine is based on body weight or body size. The appropriate dose of dacarbazine is often given once daily for 5 or 10 days depending on the dose. After 3 weeks, the dose may be repeated if necessary.

Dacarbazine is injected into a vein through a site on your skin that has been specially prepared for this purpose. Very careful handling of Dacarbazine is required. It is always given under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital or similar setting with access to sterile equipment for preparation.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are receiving the medication without consulting your doctor.

As well as interfering with the growth and reproduction of cancer cells, dacarbazine can interfere with some of your normal cells. This can cause a number of side effects such as hair loss and mouth sores. Dacarbazine often causes nausea and vomiting, but it is important to keep using Dacarbazine even if you feel ill, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The feeling of nausea usually lessens within 2 days. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can advise you on how to reduce the effects of nausea and vomiting. Keep track of any side effects and report them to your doctor, as suggested in the section "What side effects are possible with Dacarbazine?"

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Each vial of sterile lyophilized powder for reconstitution contains dacarbazine 600 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: citric acid, mannitol, and sodium hydroxide or citric acid (as pH adjuster).

Dacarbazine should not be used by anyone who:

• is allergic to dacarbazine or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• has had severe bone marrow suppression

There may be an interaction between dacarbazine and any of the following:

• Allopurinol
• Azathioprine
• bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine
• barbiturates (e.g., Phenobarbital)
• echinacea
• fotemustine
• interleukin-2
• Leflunomide
• levodopa
• live vaccines
• Mercaptopurine
• other cancer medications
• Phenytoin
• Pimecrolimus
• rifampin
• Tacrolimus

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Dacarbazine. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Dacarbazine.

Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions, including difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat and mouth, can occur with Dacarbazine.

Blood clotting: Dacarbazine can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot, and a shortage could make you bleed more easily. Tell your doctor of any signs that your blood is not clotting as quickly. Such symptoms may include black and tarry stools, blood in the urine, easy bruising, or cuts that won't stop bleeding.

Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, Dacarbazine can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Avoid contact with people who have contagious infections and tell your doctor if you begin to notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills.

Kidney and liver function: Dacarbazine can impair kidney and liver function. Your doctor will monitor you for this with blood tests.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate studies of use of Dacarbazine by pregnant women. Dacarbazine should not be given during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while receiving Dacarbazine, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if dacarbazine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are receiving Dacarbazine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Dacarbazine have not been established for children.

Seniors: The safety and effectiveness of using Dacarbazine have not been established for seniors.