Dacarbazine
Dimethyl triazeno imidazole carboxamide
Also known as: DTIC-Dome · Asercit · Dacarbaziba · Dacatic · Deticene · Detilem · Detimedac · Fauldetic · Ifadac · Oncocarbil · Dacarbazine medac · dacarbazinum · DIC · imidazole carboxamide · diemthyl triazeno imadazol carboxamide · NSC-45388 · WR139007
Reviewed by the VetSheet Veterinary TeamUpdated Apr 5, 2026Evidence-based veterinary reference
This dose is based on body surface area (mg/m²). Convert body weight to body surface area before dosing.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Dosing by species
🌎 NA — North America🌍 EU — Europe
Dogs
| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relapsed lymphoma, soft tissue sarcomas, melanoma | 800-1000 mg/m2 | IV | every 2-3 weeks | over 5-8 hours | 🌎 NA |
| Relapsed Lymphoma (Rescue Protocol) | 800-1000 mg/m2 | IV | every 3 weeks | as determined by oncologist | 🌍 EU |
| Relapsed Lymphoma (Alternative schedule) | 200 mg/m2 | IV | sid | for 5 consecutive days | 🌍 EU |
- Relapsed lymphoma, soft tissue sarcomas, melanoma: NOT mg/kg. Depending on the protocol used.
- Relapsed Lymphoma (Rescue Protocol): Administer as a slow IV infusion (over several hours) to minimize adverse effects. Pre-medicate with antiemetics.
- Relapsed Lymphoma (Alternative schedule): Repeat cycle every 3 weeks.
Doses are a clinical reference for licensed veterinary professionals. Always confirm against the current label and the individual patient.
Overview
Dacarbazine (often referred to as DTIC) is a parenteral antineoplastic agent primarily used in veterinary oncology for the treatment of relapsed lymphomas, soft tissue sarcomas, and melanomas in dogs.
Clinical Pearls:
- Dacarbazine is a prodrug that requires hepatic activation to exert its cytotoxic effects.
- It is not recommended for use in cats because it is unknown if the feline liver can adequately metabolize it into its active form, making its efficacy and safety highly unpredictable in this species.
- It is a severe vesicant; extravasation can cause profound tissue necrosis. It must be administered via a perfectly placed intravenous catheter, typically as a slow, diluted infusion.
Mechanism of action
Dacarbazine is a prodrug that undergoes hepatic N-demethylation (likely via cytochrome P450 enzymes) to form an active intermediate, which then degrades to form reactive carbonium ions.
- Alkylating Activity: These carbonium ions act as alkylating agents → cross-link DNA strands → interfere with DNA transcription and replication.
- Antimetabolite Activity: It also inhibits the incorporation of purine nucleosides into DNA.
- It possesses minimal immunosuppressant activity and is generally considered cell cycle-phase nonspecific.
Safety & warnings
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
Adverse 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
- Lethargy
Precautions
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
May cause additive myelosuppression when used concurrently with DTIC.
May increase the hepatic metabolism of DTIC.
May increase the hepatic metabolism of DTIC.
May increase the hepatic metabolism of DTIC.
Additive bone marrow suppression
Monitoring
- Efficacy (tumor response)
- CBC with differential and platelets (monitor for myelosuppression)
- Renal function tests
- Hepatic function tests
- IV catheter site for signs of extravasation during infusion
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) prior to each dose and at nadir (typically 7-14 days post-treatment)
- Liver function tests (ALT, AST, Bilirubin)
- Gastrointestinal signs (vomiting, diarrhea)
Pharmacokinetics
Half-life
Absorption
Poorly absorbed from the GI tract; must be administered intravenously.
Distribution
Slightly bound to plasma proteins and probably concentrates in the liver. Only limited amounts cross the blood-brain barrier. It crosses the placenta.
Metabolism
Extensively metabolized in the liver to its active form.
Elimination
Excreted in the urine via tubular secretion.
Overdose
Because of the severe toxic potential of this agent, iatrogenic overdoses must be strictly avoided. Recheck all dosage calculations carefully (ensure dosing is based on body surface area in mg/m2, not mg/kg). Overdose will likely result in profound, life-threatening bone marrow suppression and severe gastrointestinal toxicity. Treatment is supportive.
Available products
Formulations
- Powder for injection
- 100 mg powder for reconstitution
- 200 mg powder for reconstitution
- 500 mg powder for reconstitution
Human-labeled
- Dacarbazine Powder for Injection: 100 mg & 200 mg vials (may contain mannitol)
- Dacarbazine 100mg, 200mg, 500mg, 1000mg powder for solution for injection/infusion
Regulatory status
Human approved drug used off-label under the cascade.
POM. Human approved drug used off-label under the cascade.
No regulatory data for: 🇺🇸 US · 🇭🇰 HK · 🇹🇼 TW · 🇯🇵 JP · 🇰🇷 KR · 🇦🇺 AU
Storage & stability
Protect powder from light and keep refrigerated. If exposed to heat, the powder may change color from ivory to pink, indicating decomposition. After reconstituting with sterile water, the solution is stable for up to 72 hours refrigerated, or 8 hours at room temperature. If further diluted (up to 500 mL) with D5W or normal saline, it is stable for at least 24 hours refrigerated, or 8 hours at room temperature under normal lighting.
Client information
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.
VetSheet drug reference is intended for licensed veterinary professionals as a clinical decision-support aid, not a substitute for professional judgement or the manufacturer’s current label.