Trade name

DBL™ Dacarbazine Citrate

What Darcabazine is and what it is used for?

• Dacarbazine is an alkylating agent. This medicine reacts with DNA and interferes with DNA replication and cell division. This cell damage stops the growth and spread of cancer cell in the body.
• Dacarbazine is used as a single agent or in combination with other medicines to treat soft tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin's disease, and malignant melanoma. This drug may also be used to treat other cancers, as determined by your doctor.

How Darzabazine is given?

• The infusion time is dependent on the treatment plan. It may be given over 15 to 30 minutes or as a continuous infusion over 24 hours.

What should I know while receiving Dacarbazine?

• Do not receive this drug when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Effective contraception should be used during treatment.
• This drug may affect fertility. You can talk to your doctor about methods of preserving fertility before treatment starts.
• Do not receive any kind of vaccination without doctor's approval.
• You will have regular blood tests to make sure you have enough blood cells and have adequate organ functions to receive dacarbazine. The timing and dosing of your treatment may be changed based on the test results or side effects.
• The existing health problems may affect the use of dacarbazine. You should let your doctor know if you have any other medical problems, especially liver or kidney problems.
• There are many drugs may affect how dacarbazine works. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Common side effects

• Low white blood cell count

You may have a higher risk of getting infections. Try to stay away from crowds and wash hands often. Tell your doctor right away if you have repeated fevers, coughing, stuffy nose, a painful urination or wound that becomes red and swollen.

• Low red blood cell count

You may look pale and get tired more easily. Let your doctor know if you experience any difficulty breathing or dizziness when changing positions.

• Low platelet count

You may have a higher risk of bleeding. Let your doctor know if you find red or purple dots on the skin, bleeding from the nose or gums, or any bruising or bleeding that you cannot explain.

• Inflammation of the vein

Tell your nurse right away if you get pain, tenderness or redness at the place where the injection is given or along the vein.

• Nausea and vomiting

Medicines may be given before the treatment to prevent it happening. Eating and drinking often in small amounts may reduce the discomfort.

• Loss of appetite

Try to eat in small quantities and have frequent meals. If your appetite does not get any better after a few days, tell your doctor.

• Fatigue

Try to pace yourself and rest as much as possible. Seek medical advice if fatigue does not go away when you rest and sleep.

• Elevated liver enzymes

This is usually mild and may return to normal after treatment has ended. Seek medical help right away if you have yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark or brown urine, or pain in abdomen, as these can be signs of liver toxicity.

Less common side effects

• Flu like symptoms

Symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pains and shivering may occur a few hours after treatment. These symptoms generally last for 2 to 3 days. Seek medical help if you do not get any better.

• Diarrhea or constipation

Talk to your doctor and ask for advice. Drinking plenty of water and dietary changes can improve the conditions.

• Hair loss

It may begin 2-3 weeks after your first treatment. Your hair will usually grow back after treatment has finished.

• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet

Symptoms may last as long as therapy is continued. Protect areas where sensation is decreased and let your doctor know any unusual feeling you have.

Rare but serious side effects

• Secondary cancer

Dacarbazine may cause an increased risk of developing secondary cancer years later. Treatment benefits may outweigh the risk of secondary cancer. Your doctor can talk you about this.

More Information

• Alcohol and cigarettes may interfere with certain medicines or worsen side effects from chemotherapy treatment. It is wise to avoid alcohol and cigarettes during cancer treatment. If you have any problem about drinking alcohol and smoking, you should check with your doctor.
• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day can help make your recovery a smoother process.
• Your skin may more sensitive to sunlight, which can result in severe sunburn or rash. If you must go out in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen.