Dacarbazine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 9, 2024.

Applies to dacarbazine: powder for solution.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (powder for solution)

Hemopoietic depression is the most common toxicity with dacarbazine for injection.

Hepatic necrosis has also been reported.

Studies have demonstrated this agent to have a carcinogenic and teratogenic effect when used in animals.

Serious side effects of dacarbazine

Along with its needed effects, dacarbazine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Also, 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 immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dacarbazine:

More common

• redness, pain, or swelling at place of injection

Less common

• 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

Rare

• shortness of breath
• stomach pain
• swelling of face
• yellow eyes or skin
• sores in mouth and on lips

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking dacarbazine:

Other side effects of dacarbazine

Some side effects of dacarbazine 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:

More common

• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting (should lessen after 1 or 2 days)

Less common

• feelings of uneasiness
• flushing of face
• muscle pain
• numbness of face

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 using this medicine, it may still produce some side effects that need attention. During this period of time, Check with your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:

• 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

For healthcare professionals

Applies to dacarbazine: intravenous powder for injection.

General

Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are the most frequently reported adverse reactions. Over 90% of patients are affected with the initial few doses. The vomiting lasts 1 to 12 hours and is incompletely and unpredictably palliated with phenobarbital and/or prochlorperazine. Restricting oral intake of food for 4 to 6 hours prior to therapy may help to alleviate these symptoms. The rapid toleration of these symptoms suggests that a CNS mechanism may be involved, and usually these symptoms subside after the first 1 or 2 days.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (90%), vomiting (90%)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Diarrhea^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatic necrosis due to veno-occlusive disease (VOD) of the liver, Budd-Chiari syndrome (sometimes fatal), hepatic enzymes increased (e.g., alkaline phosphatase, ASAT, ALAT)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Facial flushing
• Frequency not reported: ECG abnormalities, orthostatic hypotension (may be associated with high doses)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alopecia, hyperpigmentation, photosensitivity
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Erythema, maculopapular exanthema, urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Rash^[Ref]

Local

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Application site irritation
• Frequency not reported: Severe pain along the vein caused by injection of concentrated solution, extravasation (causing pain, tissue damage, cellulitis), burning sensation^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Bone marrow depression (25%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, blood lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased, blood creatinine increased, blood urea increased^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Infections, influenza-like symptoms^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Myalgia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Impaired vision^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (90%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Headache, lethargy, malaise, convulsions, facial paresthesia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Confusion^[Ref]

Renal

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Impaired renal function^[Ref]

Further information

Dacarbazine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer