Dtic-Dome

Generic Name: dacarbazine (da CKAR ba zeen)

Brand Names: DTIC-Dome

What is Dtic-Dome (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 Dtic-Dome (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 Dtic-Dome (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.

How is dacarbazine given?

Dacarbazine is injected into a vein through an IV. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting.

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 is sometimes given daily for 5 to 10 days in a row every 3 or 4 weeks. For Hodkin's disease, you may only receive dacarbazine for 1 day every 15 days. Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with dacarbazine.

Dacarbazine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill.

To make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your dacarbazine injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while receiving Dtic-Dome (dacarbazine)?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

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. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine.

Dtic-Dome (dacarbazine) side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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  severe or continued vomiting;

  
  


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  fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

  
  


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  easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

  
  


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  pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or

  
  


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  nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  loss of appetite;

  
  


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  diarrhea;

  
  


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  temporary hair loss;

  
  


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  mild skin rash; or

  
  


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  numbness, warmth, redness, or tingly feeling in your face.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Dtic-Dome (dacarbazine)?

There may be other drugs that can interact with dacarbazine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Dtic-Dome resources

• Dtic-Dome Side Effects (in more detail)
• Dtic-Dome Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Dtic-Dome Drug Interactions
• Dtic-Dome Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Dtic-Dome - Add your own review/rating

• Dtic-Dome Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Dacarbazine Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Dacarbazine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• DTIC-Dome Monograph (AHFS DI)


• DTIC-Dome MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Dtic-Dome with other medications

• Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• Melanoma

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about dacarbazine.

See also: Dtic-Dome side effects (in more detail)