Dacarbazine Injection

WHAT IS DACAREX?

Dacarex is an antineoplastic agent. It
is a cancer chemotherapy drug that is used alone or with other
medications to slow or stop cancer cell growth.

MEDICINE USES :

Dacarbazine is used for treating certain types of cancer, such as skin cancer that has spread (metastatic malignant melanoma).

DACARBAZINE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS :

Facial flushing, numbness, or tingling; loss of appetite; metallic
taste in mouth; muscle pain or weakness; nausea; temporary hair loss;
vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe
allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the
chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dark urine;
fever, chills, or sore throat; joint pain; pain, redness, or swelling at
injection site; severe nausea and vomiting; stomach pain; unusual
bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellowing of skin
or eyes.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

SAFETY INFORMATION (Precautions) for DACAREX DACARBAZINE INJECTION :

• Dacarex may lower your body’s ability to fight infection. Prevent
  infection by avoiding contact with people with colds or other
  infections. Notify your doctor of any signs of infection, including
  fever, sore throat, rashes, or chills.
• Dacarex may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in
  your blood. To prevent bleeding, avoid situations in which bruising or
  injury may occur. Report any unusual bleeding, bruising, blood in
  stools, or dark, tarry stools to your doctor.
• Use of Dacarex may increase the risk of developing a second cancer. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Avoid vaccination with live virus vaccines (eg, measles, mumps, oral
  polio) while you are taking Dacarbazine. Vaccinations may be less
  effective.
• LAB TESTS, including blood cell counts and liver
  function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check
  for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become
  pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using
  Dacarbazine during pregnancy. It is unknown if this medicine is excreted
  in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Dacarbazine.

This is not a complete list. Ask your health care provider for more information.

MEDICATION STORAGE REQUIREMENTS :

Store in a refrigerator 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).

DRUG INTERACTIONS :

Some products that may interact with this drug include: drugs that
may decrease bone marrow function (e.g., azathioprine,
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole).

This document does not contain all possible interactions.
Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with
your doctor and pharmacist.