Dacarbazine Disease Interactions

Because of their cytotoxic effects on rapidly proliferating tissues, antineoplastic agents frequently can, to varying extent, induce myelosuppression. The use of these drugs may be contraindicated in patients with known infectious diseases. All patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting infection such as fever, sore throat, or local infection during antineoplastic therapy. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.

The pharmacokinetic disposition of dacarbazine may be altered in patients with hepatic impairment. Hepatotoxicity, including hepatic vein thrombosis and hepatocellular necrosis, have been reported. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any sign or symptoms of liver dysfunction such as jaundice, dark urine, right upper quadrant pain, or anorexia. Therapy with dacarbazine should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to compromised hepatic function.

Dacarbazine is myelosuppressive, primarily affecting leukocytes and thrombocytes, although anemia occasionally occurs. Deaths due to myelosuppression have been reported. Patients should be instructed to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggesting bone marrow suppression such as fever, sore throat, local infection, or bleeding. Therapy with dacarbazine should be withheld or extreme caution exercised when administered in patients whose bone marrow reserve may be severely depressed. Close clinical monitoring of hematopoietic function is recommended.

Dacarbazine is partially eliminated by the kidney via renal tubular secretion. Approximately 40% of dacarbazine is eliminated unchanged in the urine. The half-life of dacarbazine may be increased in patients with renal impairment. Rare reports of unspecified, severe renal toxicity has been noted. Therapy with dacarbazine should be administered cautiously to patients with compromised renal function. Clinical monitoring of renal function is recommended.