Dacarbazine
Pronunciation: (da-KAR-ba-zeen).
- Generic name
- Dacarbazine
- Drug class
- Cancer & Oncology
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country:
Australia: · Full directory
What Dacarbazine is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how Dacarbazine works
Dacarbazine is a triazene derivative that acts as an alkylating agent. After metabolic activation in the liver, it forms methylcarbonium ions that methylate DNA at the O6 and N7 positions of guanine. This leads to DNA strand breaks, inhibition of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, and ultimately cell death. Dacarbazine is cell cycle-nonspecific but is most active in rapidly dividing cells. (1) (2)
What Dacarbazine is used for
Malignant melanoma
Malignant melanoma (2)
Hodgkin's lymphoma
Hodgkin's lymphoma (2)
Soft tissue sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma (2)
Islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas
Islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas (2)
Before taking Dacarbazine
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to dacarbazine, severe hepatic or renal impairment, or pregnancy unless benefits outweigh risks. (Contraindication) (2)
Tell your clinician about
(2)How to take Dacarbazine
- Duration of treatment may vary based on response and tolerance, typically up to 6 cycles.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (2)
Missed dose
Dacarbazine is given as a clinician-administered intravenous infusion on a fixed treatment-cycle schedule managed entirely by the oncology team; there is no patient self-administered dose to miss. If a scheduled infusion appointment is missed, contact the treatment center promptly so the team can advise on rescheduling.
Overdose
No specific antidote. Provide supportive care with close monitoring of blood counts, liver and renal function. Treat infections promptly. Consider hematopoietic growth factors if severe myelosuppression occurs. (2)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Nausea and vomiting
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Myelosuppression (low blood counts)
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Flu-like syndrome (fever, muscle aches)
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Anorexia
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Alopecia (hair loss)
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Injection site pain
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Hepatotoxicity
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Photosensitivity
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Serious warnings
Dacarbazine must be given under the supervision of a physician experienced in cancer chemotherapy — serious
Symptoms: Dacarbazine must be given under the supervision of a physician experienced in cancer chemotherapy. It can cause severe bone marrow (hemopoietic) depression, and hepatic necrosis (including rare fatal cases) has been reported, more frequently when given together with other chemotherapy agents. Use caution in patients with prior bone marrow suppression, active infections, or liver disease.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Formal contraindication per FDA labeling — serious
Symptoms: Formal contraindication per FDA labeling: known hypersensitivity to dacarbazine. Severe hepatic or renal impairment and pregnancy are not absolute contraindications but require the treating oncologist to weigh benefit against risk on a case-by-case basis (the clinician database record described these as contraindications; FDA labeling frames them as use-with-caution/benefit-risk situations, and this section is corrected to match the FDA label).
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Other chemotherapy (antineoplastic) agents | Hepatic toxicity (including hepatic necrosis) has been reported more frequently when dacarbazine is given together with other antineoplastic drugs. This is managed by the oncology team as part of a supervised regimen, not a self-managed interaction. | (2) |
| Live vaccines, immunosuppressants, and hepatotoxic/nephrotoxic drugs | The clinician-authored record notes increased infection risk with live vaccines during treatment and advises caution with other immunosuppressants and hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic drugs. Always share a full, current medication and supplement list with the oncology team before and during treatment. | (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
FDA labeling classifies dacarbazine as pregnancy category C: it was teratogenic in animal studies, and there is no adequate, well-controlled data in pregnant women. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus, and only under an oncologist's direction. Effective contraception is advised during treatment. (2)
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether dacarbazine passes into breast milk. Because dacarbazine caused tumors in animal studies, discontinuing breastfeeding during treatment should be considered, in discussion with the oncology team. (2)
Children
Frequency: Not applicable.. Weight Based: Not recommended for pediatric use.. Max Daily Dose: Not applicable.. Max Single Dose: Not applicable.. Age Restrictions: Safety not established in children. (2)
Renal_impairment
In patients with renal or hepatic dysfunction, dacarbazine's elimination half-life is prolonged (reported roughly 55 minutes vs. ~19 minutes normal for one elimination phase, and ~7.2 hours vs. ~5 hours for another). FDA labeling does not provide a specific numeric dose-reduction table for renal or hepatic impairment, so dosing in these patients must be individualized by the treating oncologist with close monitoring. (2)
Hepatic_impairment
In patients with renal or hepatic dysfunction, dacarbazine's elimination half-life is prolonged (reported roughly 55 minutes vs. ~19 minutes normal for one elimination phase, and ~7.2 hours vs. ~5 hours for another). FDA labeling does not provide a specific numeric dose-reduction table for renal or hepatic impairment, so dosing in these patients must be individualized by the treating oncologist with close monitoring. (2)
Monitoring
(2)Storage
Refrigerate intact vials at 2-8C (36-46F) and protect from light. Once reconstituted, the solution is stable up to 72 hours refrigerated or 8 hours at room temperature; if further diluted for infusion, up to 24 hours refrigerated or 8 hours at room temperature. (Corrected from the clinician database, which had listed room-temperature storage for intact vials; FDA labeling specifies refrigeration.)
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Malignant melanoma
Dose summary: The standard adult dosing for Dacarbazine is typically 250 mg/m² administered intravenously on days 1-5 of a 21-day cycle. FDA labeling separately describes 2-4.5 mg/kg/day IV for 10 days repeated every 4 weeks, or 250 mg/m²/day IV for 5 days repeated every 3 weeks (melanoma), or 150 mg/m²/day IV for 5 days every 28 days in combination regimens (Hodgkin lymphoma). The treating oncologist selects the specific regimen.
Renal context: No specific numeric dose-adjustment table is published; elimination half-life is prolonged in renal or hepatic dysfunction, so the oncologist individualizes dosing with close monitoring in these patients. (1) (2)
Frequently asked questions
What cancers is dacarbazine used to treat?
Dacarbazine is primarily used for metastatic malignant melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. It may also be used for soft tissue sarcoma and other cancers as determined by your oncologist.
How is dacarbazine administered?
It is given as an intravenous infusion in a hospital or clinic setting by a healthcare professional.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, and temporary hair loss.
Can dacarbazine cause fertility problems?
Yes, dacarbazine may affect fertility in both men and women. Discuss fertility preservation options with your doctor before starting treatment.
Is it safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Dacarbazine is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to potential harm to the baby. Use effective contraception during treatment.
What should I do if I develop a fever during treatment?
Contact your healthcare provider immediately, as fever may indicate infection or bone marrow suppression.
Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid?
Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice, as they may increase the risk of liver toxicity or interact with the medication.
What happens if I take too much Dacarbazine?
Taking too much Dacarbazine can lead to severe myelosuppression, liver damage, and neurological symptoms. Overdose requires immediate medical attention. If an overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical help or contact a poison control center immediately. Prompt intervention is crucial to manage potential life-threatening complications.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Dacarbazine?
It is generally advised to avoid alcohol while taking Dacarbazine. As an alkylating agent, Dacarbazine can cause liver toxicity, and alcohol consumption can exacerbate this risk. Combining alcohol with Dacarbazine may increase the likelihood and severity of liver damage and other adverse effects. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Is Dacarbazine safe during pregnancy?
Dacarbazine is generally not recommended during pregnancy due to its potential to cause fetal harm. It falls under a pregnancy category that advises against its use unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment. Always consult your doctor to discuss the risks and benefits if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
What is the mechanism of action of Dacarbazine?
Dacarbazine is a triazene derivative that acts as an alkylating agent. After metabolic activation in the liver, it forms methylcarbonium ions that methylate DNA at the O6 and N7 positions of guanine. This leads to DNA strand breaks, inhibition of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, and ultimately cell death. Dacarbazine is cell cycle-nonspecific but is most active in rapidly dividing cells. (1) (2)
What is the generic name of Dacarbazine?
The generic name is Dacarbazine.
What class of drug is Dacarbazine?
Dacarbazine is classed as: Cancer & Oncology.
References
- Dacarbazine: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of ActionMedGuideGlobal clinician-authored medicine record · International (internal database) · dated unknown · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 1
- Dacarbazine for Injection, USP — prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration (via DailyMed) · United States · dated unknown · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 2
- DACARBAZINE INJECTION, POWDER, LYOPHILIZED, FOR SOLUTION [HIKMA PHARMACEUTICALS USA INC.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- Dacarbazine — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- Dacarbazine — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA075812)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
- Dacarbazine — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 3098)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 6
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient Dacarbazine names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.