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Introduction of Dacarbazine
Dacarbazine belongs to the group of medicines called
alkylating agents. It is used to treat cancer of the lymph
system and malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer). It may
also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by
your doctor.
Dacarbazine interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which
are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body
cells may also be affected by dacarbazine, other effects will
also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported
to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may not be
serious but may cause concern. Some effects may not occur for
months or years after the medicine is used.
Proper Use
of Dacarbazine
Dacarbazine is sometimes given together with certain other
medicines. If you are using a combination of medicines, it is
important that you receive each one at the proper time. If you
are taking some of these medicines by mouth, ask your health
care professional to help you plan a way to remember to take
them at the right times.
Dacarbazine
often causes nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. The
injection may also cause a feeling of burning or pain.
However, it is very important that you continue to receive the
medicine, even if you have discomfort or begin to feel ill.
After 1 or 2 days, your stomach upset should lessen. Ask your
health care professional for ways to lessen these effects.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a
chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may
not occur until months or years after the medicine is used.
These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer,
such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your
doctor.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the
following side effects occur:
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Redness,
pain, or swelling at place of injection
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Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or
stools; cough or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or
chills; fever or chills; lower back or side pain,
accompanied by fever or chills; painful or difficult
urination, accompanied by fever or chills; pinpoint red
spots on skin; unusual bleeding or bruising
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Shortness of breath; stomach pain; swelling of face;
yellow eyes or skin
Check with your health care professional as soon as possible
if the following side effect occurs:
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical
attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as
your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care
professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or
reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care
professional if any of the following side effects continue or
are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
This medicine may cause a temporary loss of hair in some
people. After treatment with dacarbazine has ended, normal
hair growth should return.
After you stop receiving dacarbazine, it may still produce
some side effects that need attention. During this period of
time check with your doctor if you notice any of the
following:
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Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or
stools; cough or hoarseness, accompanied by fever or
chills; fever or chills; lower back or side pain,
accompanied by fever or chills; painful or difficult
urination, accompanied by fever or chills; pinpoint red
spots on skin; unusual bleeding or bruising
Disclaimer:
Information on this page is provided for general
information purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment
decision based on information contained in this page without
consulting other references including the package insert of
the drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We
cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use of any
erroneous information contained on this page.
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