Drug reference

Dacarbazine

Alkylating Agent · Antineoplastic Agent

Also known as DTIC, dimethyltriazenoimidazole carboxamide

Alkylating AgentAntineoplastic AgentATC null

CDSCO approvedSchedule H

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

12 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

FDA category + note

Top interactionssee all 12 →

AdalimumabSevereDatabaseDDInter
AldesleukinSevereDatabaseDDInter
BaricitinibSevereDatabaseDDInter
CertolizumabSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Dacarbazine is classified as an alkylating agent, which works by adding alkyl groups to DNA. This action damages the DNA, inhibiting cell replication and leading to the death of cancer cells.

Indications

Malignant melanomaHodgkin's diseaseSoft-tissue sarcomasHodgkin disease (primary clinical indication, in combination with other drugs)malignant melanoma (modestly effective)adult sarcomas (modestly effective)Hodgkin’s disease

Dosing

Adult: volume (e.g. 24–48 mL) of sodium chloride intravenous. of infusion over a short period of time, e.g. 100 mL in

Pharmacokinetics

Onset

not specified

Peak effect

not specified

Protein binding

not specified

Metabolism

requires initial activation by hepatic CYPs through an N-demethylation reaction; spontaneous cleavage of the metabolite MTIC yields an alkylating moiety, a methyl diazonium ion

Side effects

Common

nausea (>90% of patients)vomiting (>90% of patients, usually 1-3 h after treatment and lasting up to 12 h)myelosuppression (mild, readily reversible within 1-2 weeks, with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia)flu-like syndromehepatotoxicityalopeciafacial flushingneurotoxicitydermatological reactionsNauseaVomitingFlu-like symptomsNeuropathyMyelosuppression

Serious