Complete adverse effect profile including incidence rates and management
Important Safety Information
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unexpected symptoms. For serious or life-threatening side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
ADVERSE REACTIONS Symptoms of anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are the most frequently noted of all toxic reactions.
Over 90% of patients are affected with the initial few doses.
The vomiting lasts 1 to 12 hours and is incompletely and unpredictably palliated with phenobarbital and/or prochlorperazine.
Rarely, intractable nausea and vomiting have necessitated discontinuance of therapy with dacarbazine.
Rarely, dacarbazine has caused diarrhea.
Some helpful suggestions include restricting the patient’s oral intake of food for 4 to 6 hours prior to treatment.
The rapid toleration of these symptoms suggests that a central nervous system mechanism may be involved, and usually these symptoms subside after the first 1 or 2 days.
There are a number of minor toxicities that are infrequently noted.
Patients have experienced an influenza-like syndrome of fever to 39°C, myalgias and malaise.
These symptoms occur usually after large single doses, may last for several days, and they may occur with successive treatments.
WARNINGS Hemopoietic depression is the most common toxicity with dacarbazine and involves primarily the leukocytes and platelets, although, anemia may sometimes occur.
Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia may be severe enough to cause death.
The possible bone marrow depression requires careful monitoring of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelet levels.
Hemopoietic toxicity may warrant temporary suspension or cessation of therapy with dacarbazine.
Hepatic toxicity accompanied by hepatic vein thrombosis and hepatocellular necrosis resulting in death, has been reported.
Like all medications, Dacarbazine can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes this medication will experience them. Many side effects are dose-dependent and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Others may require dose adjustment or medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience signs of: