Antineuoplastic agents include- Interferon ALFA 2a, Interferon ALFA -2b, Interferon ALFA -n3, Levamisole, Altretamine, Cladribine, Hydroxyurea, Aldesleukin, Paclitaxel, Docetaxel,Tretinion, Procarbazine,Dacarbazine, Gemcitabine, Mitotane, Asparaginase, Pegaspargase,Porfimer Sodium None reported Lab test abnormalities Significant liver or renal function test abnormalites..

Antineuoplastic agents include

Interferon ALFA 2a, Interferon ALFA -2b, Interferon ALFA -n3, Levamisole, Altretamine, Cladribine, Hydroxyurea, Aldesleukin, Paclitaxel, Docetaxel,Tretinion, Procarbazine,Dacarbazine, Gemcitabine, Mitotane, Asparaginase, Pegaspargase,Porfimer Sodium Metastatic maliginant melanoma Various sarcoma

GI- anorexia, nausea, vomiting, occur in over 90% of patients Eryhematous and urticarial rashes, Aplopecia, facial flushing, Facial parathesia.

Photosensitivity reactions. CNS disturbances Blurred vision

Hypersensitivity to the drug. Pregnancy Lactation

Special precautions:

Extravasation of the drug subcutaneously during IV administration may result in damage and severe pain. Locally applied hot packs may relieve pain. Haematoligical monitoring Restrict food intake 4-6 hrs prior to therapy Skin and eye contact Renal , hepatic impairment

Metastatic maliginant melanoma Various sarcoma Dosage: Administer IV only.

Malignanyt melanoma- 2 to 4.5mg/kg/day for 10 days.

Sorage: After reconstitution, store the solution innthe vial at 4 C upto 72 hours.

1. Allergies- Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to dacarbazine or other related medicines. Also tell your doctor if youn are allergic to any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.

2. Pregnancy- it is best to use some kind of birth control while you are receiving dacarbazine. Tell your doctor right away if you think you are pregnant or have become pregnant while receiving dacarbazine

3. Breast feeding- not recommended

4. Children- no specific information comparing use of decarbazine in children with use in other age groups.

5. Elderly- no specific information about the use of decarbazine in elderly

6. Other medicines- tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following- Amphotericin B by injection or Antithyroid agents or Azathioprine or Chloramphenicol or Flucytosine or Ganciclovir or Interferon or Plicamycin or Zidovudine - if you have been treated with radiation or cancer medicines - dacarbazine may increase the effects of these medicines or radiation therapy on the blood

7. Other medical problems- tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems- Chickenpox or Herpes zoster -risk of severe disease afecting other parts of the body Kidney disease - or Liver disease- effects of dacarbazine may be increased because of slower removal from the body

8. Missed dose- If you miss a dose of this medicine take it as soon as possible. However if it is almost time for your next dose go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Pharmacology:

Exact mechanism is unknown. Evidence suggests 3 possiblities- the alkylation through activated carbonium ion; inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis by acting as purine analog; action as alkylating agent and interaction with sulfhydryl groups in proteins.

Pharmacokinetics:

Plasma disppearance is biphasic with initial half-life of 19 minutes and terminal half-life of 5 hours.

Pregnancy: Use with caution only if potential benefits justifies the potential risk.

Lactation: Discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug depending upon the importance of the drug to the mother.