What is dacarbazine?
Dacarbazine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Dacarbazine is used to treat skin cancer (malignant melanoma) and Hodgkin's disease.
Dacarbazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about dacarbazine?
Avoid eating anything for 4 to 6 hours before your injection. This may help prevent severe nausea or vomiting.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when dacarbazine is injected.
Dacarbazine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Your blood may need to be tested often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using dacarbazine. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving dacarbazine?
You should not use dacarbazine if you are allergic to it.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether dacarbazine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether dacarbazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are being treated with dacarbazine.