An alkylating chemotherapy for melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma
Dacarbazine
A chemotherapy medicine used to treat melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.
What is Dacarbazine?
Dacarbazine is an alkylating chemotherapy medicine used to treat melanoma (a serious type of skin cancer) and Hodgkin lymphoma. It is given by injection into a vein in specialist cancer centres. It suppresses the bone marrow, lowering blood cells and raising the risk of infection, bleeding and anaemia, and it commonly causes severe nausea and vomiting that the team treats with strong anti-sickness medicines. It can make the skin very sensitive to sunlight and can irritate or damage the vein it is given through. It is always used under close specialist supervision.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Dacarbazine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Dacarbazine is a chemotherapy medicine known as an alkylating agent, which damages the genetic material of cancer cells so they cannot grow and multiply. It is used to treat melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer that can spread, and Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system, usually as part of a planned course of treatment. It is given as an injection or drip into a vein, only in specialist cancer centres, where the team manages its effects and provides supportive care such as anti-sickness medicines.
How it works
Dacarbazine works by attaching chemical groups to the DNA inside cells, damaging it so that the cells can no longer copy themselves and are destroyed. Cancer cells, which divide rapidly, are especially vulnerable, but fast-dividing healthy cells, such as those in the bone marrow and the lining of the gut, are also affected, which is why it lowers blood counts and causes nausea. The treatment is given in carefully timed cycles so that healthy tissues have time to recover between doses, under the control of the specialist team.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturers.
A chemotherapy medicine used in UK cancer centres to treat melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.
Practical use
How to take Dacarbazine
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given as an injection or drip into a vein in a specialist cancer centre.
- Take the anti-sickness medicines you are given exactly as directed to help control nausea and vomiting.
- Protect your skin from strong sunlight and use cover-up clothing, as the skin becomes very sensitive.
- Report any fever, infection, unusual bruising or bleeding straight away.
- Tell the team at once about pain, redness or swelling at the drip site.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Dacarbazine
Advantages
- An established treatment option for melanoma and Hodgkin lymphoma.
- Given in planned cycles that allow healthy tissues to recover.
- Used as part of carefully managed specialist treatment.
Disadvantages
- Suppresses the bone marrow, raising the risk of infection, bleeding and anaemia.
- Commonly causes severe nausea and vomiting.
- Makes the skin very sensitive to sunlight and can irritate the vein it is given through.
Practical use
Good to know
Several things matter with dacarbazine. It suppresses the bone marrow, lowering white cells, red cells and platelets, so the risk of infection, bleeding and anaemia rises and blood counts are watched closely; any fever or sign of infection needs urgent attention. It is well known for causing severe nausea and vomiting, which is why strong anti-sickness medicines are given alongside it. It can make the skin much more sensitive to sunlight, so covering up and protecting the skin is important during treatment. It can also irritate or damage the vein it is given through, sometimes causing pain along the vein, which the team watches for. Because of all this, it is given only in specialist centres with full supportive care.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to dacarbazine should not be given it.
- It is used with great caution, and the dose adjusted, in people with low blood counts or significant liver or kidney problems.
- It is avoided or used with extreme caution in pregnancy because it can harm a developing baby.
Monitoring
- Regular blood counts to track the effect on the bone marrow.
- Watching for fever, infection, bleeding and severe sickness.
- Checking the drip site and reviewing liver function during treatment.
Side effects
- A fall in blood cells, raising the risk of infection, bleeding and anaemia.
- Severe nausea and vomiting, helped by anti-sickness medicines.
- Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
- Pain or irritation along the vein, and a flu-like feeling in some people.
Key interactions
- It adds to the effects of other treatments that lower blood counts.
- Live vaccines are generally avoided during treatment because the immune system is weakened.
- Tell the team about all your medicines, including anything bought without a prescription.
Available as: A powder made up into a solution for injection or drip into a vein.
Answers
Dacarbazine: frequently asked questions
What is dacarbazine used for?
It is a chemotherapy medicine used to treat melanoma (a serious skin cancer) and Hodgkin lymphoma, given as a drip into a vein in specialist centres.
Will it make me sick?
Dacarbazine commonly causes severe nausea and vomiting, so strong anti-sickness medicines are given alongside it to help control this.
Why must I avoid the sun?
It makes the skin much more sensitive to sunlight, so covering up and protecting your skin during treatment is important to avoid reactions.
Why are my blood counts monitored?
It suppresses the bone marrow, lowering blood cells, so regular counts help the team manage the risk of infection, bleeding and anaemia.
Why does my arm hurt where the drip went in?
Dacarbazine can irritate the vein it is given through; tell the team straight away about any pain, redness or swelling at the drip site.
The wider class
About Cytotoxic chemotherapy (alkylating agent)
Dacarbazine belongs to the cytotoxic chemotherapy (alkylating agent) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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