dacarbazine

dacarbazine /da·car·ba·zine/ (dah-kahr´bah-zen) a cytotoxic alkylating agent used as an antineoplastic primarily for treatment of malignant melanoma and in combination chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease and sarcomas.

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da·car·ba·zine (d-kärb-zn, d-)

n.

An antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of malignant melanoma and Hodgkin's disease.

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dacarbazine

an alkylating and antimetabolite, cell-cycle nonspecific antineoplastic agent. Abbreviated DTIC.

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dacarbazine Warning - Hazardous drug!

DTIC (CA), DTIC-Dome

Pharmacologic class: Alkylating drug, triazene

Therapeutic class: Antineoplastic

Pregnancy risk category C

FDA Boxed Warning

• Give under supervision of physician experienced in cancer chemotherapy.
• Hematopoietic depression is most common toxicity; hepatic necrosis has also occurred.
• Drug is carcinogenic and teratogenic in animals.
• Prescriber must weigh potential benefit against toxicity risk.

Action

Unclear. Thought to inhibit DNA synthesis by acting as purine analog. Also causes alkylation and may interact with sulfhydryl groups.

Availability

Injection: 100-mg and 200-mg vials

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ Hodgkin's disease

Adults: 150 mg/m² I.V. daily for 5 days in combination with other drugs, repeated q 4 weeks. Or 375 mg/m² I.V. on first day of combination therapy, repeated q 15 days.

➣ Metastatic malignant melanoma

Adults: 2 to 4.5 mg/kg I.V. daily for 10 days, repeated q 4 weeks. Or 250 mg/m² I.V. daily for 5 days, repeated q 3 weeks.

Off-label uses

• Malignant pheochromocytoma

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• hepatic dysfunction, impaired bone marrow function
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• children.

Administration

• Follow facility procedures for safe handling, administration, and disposal of chemotherapeutic drugs.
• Reconstitute with sterile water for injection according to manufacturer's directions.
• Further dilute reconstituted drug with 5% dextrose in water or normal saline solution.
☞ Administer over 30 to 60 minutes by I.V. infusion only.
☞ Take steps to prevent extravasation, which may cause tissue damage and severe pain.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
I.V.	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown

Adverse reactions

CNS: malaise, paresthesia

GI: nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, anorexia

Hematologic: anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, bone marrow depression

Musculoskeletal: myalgia

Skin: dermatitis, erythematous or urticarial rash, alopecia, flushing, photosensitivity

Others: flulike symptoms, fever, hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis

Interactions

Drug-diagnostic tests. Platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells: decreased counts

Drug-behaviors. Sun exposure: photosensitivity reaction

Patient monitoring

☞ Frequently monitor CBC with white cell differential and platelet count. Know that hematopoietic depression is the most common toxicity and can be fatal.
• Assess infusion site closely for extravasation.

Patient teaching

☞ Instruct patient to immediately report pain, burning, or swelling at infusion site; numbness in arms or legs; gait changes; respiratory distress; difficulty breathing; rash; or easy bruising or bleeding.
• Advise patient to minimize GI distress by eating small, frequent servings of healthy food and drinking plenty of fluids.
• Tell patient he'll undergo regular blood testing during therapy.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the tests and behaviors mentioned above.

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dacarbazine Oncology An alkylating chemotherapeutic used for lymphoma and metastatic melanoma Adverse effects BM suppression, pain on administration, vomiting