Dacarbazine: Uses & Sides Effects

Dacarbazine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. Dacarbazine is used to treat skin cancer (malignant melanoma) and Hodgkin’s disease.

How is dacarbazine given?

Dacarbazine is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

Avoid eating anything for 4 to 6 hours before your injection. This may help prevent severe nausea or vomiting.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when dacarbazine is injected.

Dacarbazine is sometimes given daily for 5 to 10 days in a row every 3 or 4 weeks. For Hodgkin’s disease, you may only receive dacarbazine for 1 day every 15 days. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with dacarbazine.

Dacarbazine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

Precautions

You should not use dacarbazine if you are allergic to it.

It is not known whether dacarbazine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether dacarbazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are being treated with dacarbazine.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe or continued vomiting;
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
  • easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
  • pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
  • nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

  • loss of appetite;
  • diarrhea;
  • temporary hair loss;
  • mild skin rash;
  • numbness, warmth, redness, or tingly feeling in your face.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Keyword: dacarbazine.

* The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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