Dacarbazine, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: dacarbazine, injection; imidazole carboxamide, injection; DTIC-Dome

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by IV injection (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to treat skin cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is also used with other medicines to treat Hodgkin's disease. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Also tell your provider if you have recently had any kind of infection or if you are taking radiation therapy or other chemotherapy.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Chemotherapy is usually not recommended during pregnancy because it can harm the baby. Do not breast-feed while receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

These shots are given by your healthcare provider. They are given daily for 5 to 10 days in a row (depending on the condition being treated). They may be repeated every 3 to 4 weeks (depending on your response to the medicine). Your healthcare provider may ask you not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before receiving this medicine.

What should I watch out for?

This is a very strong medicine. Only healthcare providers experienced with this drug should prescribe it. It should only be given in a clinic or hospital where you can be monitored closely. You need regular lab tests to find out how this medicine is affecting you. Keep all your appointments for these tests.

You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.

Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are common side effects of this medicine, especially after the first few doses. The vomiting may last for 1 to 12 hours. Contact your healthcare provider if it is severe.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever, cough, mouth sores or sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe vomiting, yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, burning sensation during the IV injection, loss of balance, numbness in legs or arms.

Other: Diarrhea, headache, muscle aches and pains, tiredness, hair loss, skin rash or itching, facial flushing, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, facial numbness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking:

• natural remedies such as St. John's wort and dong quai
• vaccines

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.