Dacarbazine
Also known as: DTIC-Dome, Asercit, DTI, Dacarb, Dacarbaziba, Dacatic, Deticene, Detilem, Detimedac, Fauldetic, Ifadac, Oncocarbil, DTIC, Medac, Dacarbazine medac
Your pet has been prescribed a chemotherapy medication. Please observe the following guidelines: * **Gastrointestinal Upset:** Vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite are common. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe anti-nausea medications to give before and after treatment. Contact your vet immediately if vomiting or diarrhea is severe or contains blood. * **Infection Risk:** This drug can lower your pet's white blood cell count, making them more susceptible to infections. Watch for signs of lethargy, fever, or depression. * **Bleeding Risk:** Watch for abnormal bleeding, bruising, or blood in the urine or stool, as this drug can lower platelet counts. * **Safety Precautions:** Chemotherapy drugs are hazardous. Follow your veterinarian's instructions regarding the safe handling of your pet's waste (urine, feces, vomit) for a few days following treatment. Pregnant or nursing women, and immunocompromised individuals, should avoid handling the pet's waste.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Relapsed lymphoma, soft tissue sarcomas, melanoma
- Relapsed Lymphoma (Rescue Protocol)
- Relapsed Lymphoma (Alternative schedule)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Severe gastrointestinal toxicity (vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea) - often dose-limiting
- Bone marrow suppression (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia) - nadir occurs several weeks post-treatment
- Severe tissue damage and pain (if extravasated)
- Venous spasm and phlebitis during IV administration
- Alopecia (rare)
- Hepatotoxicity (rare)
- Renal impairment (rare)
- Photosensitivity (rare)
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Myelosuppression (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia)
- Tissue necrosis if extravasated
- Hepatotoxicity
- Lethargy
Cautions & contraindications
- Cats (due to unknown hepatic metabolism capabilities)
- Patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug
- Pregnancy (teratogenic)
- Pre-existing severe myelosuppression
- Severe hepatic dysfunction
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Known hypersensitivity
- > **WARNING: VESICANT.** Dacarbazine can cause extensive pain and severe tissue damage if extravasated. Dilution and administration by IV infusion is strongly recommended. * Use with extreme caution in patients with preexisting bone marrow depression, hepatic or renal dysfunction, or active infections. * Pretreatment with antiemetics (e.g., ondansetron, dolasetron) is highly recommended due to severe GI toxicity. * Pretreatment with dexamethasone and/or butorphanol may reduce vasospasm, phlebitis, and pain during infusion. * **Human Safety:** Chronic exposure increases mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic risks. Proper hazardous drug handling precautions are mandatory.
Drug interactions
- Myelosuppressive drugs (e.g., other antineoplastics, chloramphenicol, flucytosine, colchicine): May cause additive myelosuppression when used concurrently with DTIC.
- Rifampin: May increase the hepatic metabolism of DTIC.
- Phenobarbital: May increase the hepatic metabolism of DTIC.
- Phenytoin: May increase the hepatic metabolism of DTIC.
- Other myelosuppressive agents: Additive bone marrow suppression
Frequently asked questions
What is Dacarbazine used for in pets?
Your pet has been prescribed a chemotherapy medication. Please observe the following guidelines: * **Gastrointestinal Upset:** Vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite are common. Your veterinarian will likely prescribe anti-nausea medications to give before and after treatment. Contact your vet immediately if vomiting or diarrhea is severe or contains blood. * **Infection Risk:** This drug can lower your pet's white blood cell count, making them more susceptible to infections. Watch for signs of lethargy, fever, or depression. * **Bleeding Risk:** Watch for abnormal bleeding, bruising, or blood in the urine or stool, as this drug can lower platelet counts. * **Safety Precautions:** Chemotherapy drugs are hazardous. Follow your veterinarian's instructions regarding the safe handling of your pet's waste (urine, feces, vomit) for a few days following treatment. Pregnant or nursing women, and immunocompromised individuals, should avoid handling the pet's waste.
Is Dacarbazine safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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