Dakacin

Metastasized malignant melanoma. Advanced Hodgkin's disease & advanced adult soft tissue sarcomas (except mesothelioma, Kaposi sarcoma) as part of combination chemotherapy.

IV inj/infusion Malignant melanoma 200-250 mg/m²/day as single agent for 5 days every 3 wk either as IV inj or 15-30 min short-term infusion. May be given as 850 mg/m² on day 1 then once every 3 wk as IV infusion. Hodgkin's disease 375 mg/m²/day IV every 15 days in combination w/ doxorubicin, bleomycin & vinblastine (ABVD regimen). Adult soft tissue sarcoma 250 mg/m²/day IV for 5 days in combination w/ doxorubicin every 3 wk (ADIC regimen).

Hypersensitivity. Leukopenia &/or thrombocytopenia. Concomitant use w/ yellow fever vaccination or fotemustine. Severe liver or kidney diseases. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Immediately discontinue therapy if symptoms of liver/kidney dysfunction or hypersensitivity occur. Use is contraindicated if veno-occlusive liver disease develops. Haemopoietic toxicity may warrant temporary suspension or cessation of therapy. Avoid live vaccine immunisation during therapy; delay until at least 3 mth post-chemotherapy. Liver necrosis from intrahepatic vein occlusion may occur; monitor liver size, function & blood counts (eg, eosinophils). Long-term use may cause cumulative bone marrow toxicity; monitor WBC, RBC & platelet levels. Risk of tissue damage & severe pain due to extravasation during IV administration. Avoid concomitant use w/ phenytoin. Avoid hepatotoxic medicinal products & alcohol during chemotherapy. May influence ability to drive or operate machines. Women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment & for 6 mth following treatment completion. Men should not father a child & is recommended to use effective contraception during treatment & for 3 mth following treatment completion. Not recommended in paed patients.

Anaemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia; anorexia, nausea, vomiting. Potentially fatal hepatic necrosis from veno-occlusive disease of the liver or Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Myelotoxic interactions w/ cytostatic agents. Drugs metabolised by CYP450 (CYP1A1, CYP1A2 & CYP2E1) & anticoagulants. May enhance effects of methoxypsoralen. Risk of serious & potentially fatal infections w/ live vaccines. Reduced GI absorption of phenytoin. May cause excessive immunosuppression & lymphoproliferation w/ cyclosporine & tacrolimus. Concomitant use w/ fotemustine may lead to acute pulmonary toxicity (adult resp distress syndrome).

Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

L01AX04 - dacarbazine ; Belongs to the class of other alkylating agents. Used in the treatment of cancer.

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