Dakarbazin medak

Dakarbazin medak refers to antitumor, cytostatic drugs. The main action is aimed at the suspension or complete suppression of cell division due to inhibition of mitotic activity.

All cytotoxic drugs affect intracellular metabolism and are used, as a rule, for the treatment of malignant tumors.

[1], [2], [3]

Indications Dakarbazin medak

Dakarbazine medak is prescribed as the main treatment for metastatic melanoma.

Also, the drug is used as part of complex treatment for soft tissue sarcoma, Hodgkin's disease (except for mesothelioma, Kaposi's sarcoma).

[4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9]

Release form

Dakarbazin medak is available in glass bottles with powder, from which is prepared a solution for droppers or injections.

[10]

Pharmacodynamics

Dakarbazin medak inhibits cell growth, which is not associated with the cell cycle and stops the process of DNA synthesis. The drug also has a destructive effect on DNA and leads to cell death. It is generally believed that dacarbazine does not have an antitumor effect, but in the body it is converted into compounds that have a harmful effect on pathological cells. 

Pharmacokinetics

Dakarbazin medak quickly penetrates into tissues after administration. About 5% of the active substance binds to blood proteins. The mechanism of action of the drug in the blood is two-phase, the initial half-life is 20 minutes and the final half-life is approximately 30 minutes to 3.5 hours. Dacarbazine is not active in the body, before the process of metabolism in the liver with cytochrome P ₄₅₀, which results in the formation of active compounds that destroy the tumor.

About 20 - 50% of the drug is excreted unchanged by the kidneys for six hours due to tubular secretion.

[11], [12], [13]

Dosing and administration

Dakarbazine medak is used intravenously. The drug is prescribed only by a doctor who has experience working in oncology and hematology.

When you inject the drug, you should avoid getting the solution into the tissue, as this can lead to damage and painful sensations at the injection site. If there is a solution under the skin, you must immediately stop the drug, and the rest of the solution to enter into another vein.

The treatment schedule and dosage is prescribed by a specialist.

When malignant melanoma is usually prescribed 200-250 mg intravenously once a day. The course of treatment is 5 days, after three weeks the course is repeated.

Intravenous injection of the drug is quite painful, it is allowed to inject Dakarbazin medak with a dropper within 15-30 minutes.

At the discretion of the doctor, the drug can be prescribed in a dosage of 850 mg once every three weeks.

With Hodgkin's disease, the drug is prescribed 375 mg once every 15 days. In this case, Dakarbazin is appointed as part of a comprehensive treatment.

With soft tissue sarcoma, Dakarbazine is also prescribed as part of a complex treatment of 250 mg every three weeks.

The duration of therapy with dacarbazine is determined by the doctor individually for each case. This takes into account many factors - the disease, its stage, combined treatment, side effects and therapeutic effects, etc.

[18], [19]

Use Dakarbazin medak during pregnancy

Dakarbazin medak was tested on animals, as a result it was found that the drug leads to changes in the structure of genes, violates embryonic development. The drug is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women.

Contraindications

Dakarbazin medak is contraindicated in cases of increased susceptibility to certain components of the drug, with severe hepatic or renal insufficiency.

Also, the drug is not given to pregnant and lactating women, with a low level of platelets and leukocytes.  

Side effects Dakarbazin medak

Dakarbazine medak can provoke a decrease in hemoglobin, leukocytes, platelets, granulocytes, a decrease in the composition of all blood elements.  

Also, after using the drug, anaphylactic shock can develop, headaches appear, numbness of the facial nerve, convulsions, and vision impairment.

In some cases, loss of appetite, nausea, and upset of the stool develop.

The drug causes an increase in liver enzymes, in rare cases can trigger a disruption of the hepatic vein, which can cause liver necrosis, kidney failure, hair loss, the appearance of pigmentation spots, severe reddening of the skin, skin rashes, inflammation at the injection site.

Often after application of the drug, changes in blood tests (changes in the level of leukocytes, platelets, etc.), fever, muscle pain, enlargement of the liver, abdominal pain are observed.

In rare cases, disruption of the kidneys can occur, which will lead to an increase in the blood of substances excreted in the urine.  

[14], [15], [16], [17]

Overdose

Dakarbazin medak in overdose causes oppression of the process of creating new blood cells (about two weeks later).

After a month of treatment, increased doses of Dacarbazine may lead to a decrease in the level of leukocytes and platelets.

[20], [21]

Interactions with other drugs

Dakarbazine medak can enhance the damaging effect on the hematopoiesis of other cytostatic drugs or radiotherapy. 

When prescribing the drug, it must be taken into account that Dakarbazine is converted in the liver with P _450, so it is necessary to prescribe with caution the drugs that are metabolized by this enzyme.

Dakarbazine medak simultaneously with methoxypsoralen can enhance the photosensitizing effect (susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation).  

[22], [23], [24], [25]

Storage conditions

Dakarbazin medak should be stored in its original packaging, which protects from direct sunlight. Storage temperature should not exceed 25 ⁰ С.

Dakarbazin medak should be protected from children. The diluted solution for injections should not be stored for longer than a day, at a temperature of 2 to 8 ^° C (if prepared under aseptic conditions). The prepared solution must be stored in a place protected from sunlight.

[26], [27]

Special instructions

The use of the drug may in the distant future lead to damage to the development of male and female sex cells, provoke secondary leukemia.

Shelf life

Dakarbazin medak is suitable for three years from the date of manufacture, provided that the integrity of the package and storage conditions are maintained.

[28], [29], [30], [31], [32]