Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DACARBAZINE versus EMCYT.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DACARBAZINE versus EMCYT.
DACARBAZINE vs EMCYT
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Alkylating agent; inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis by forming covalent bonds with DNA, leading to cross-linking and strand breaks. Also inhibits purine synthesis and has some activity as a methylating agent.
Estramustine is a combination of estradiol and nitrogen mustard. The estradiol moiety targets the drug to cells expressing estrogen receptors, while the nitrogen mustard alkylates DNA, inhibiting cell division primarily in prostate cancer cells.
2.4-4.5 mg/kg IV daily for 10 days every 28 days; or 250 mg/m2 IV daily for 5 days every 21 days; or 375-450 mg/m2 IV single dose every 21-28 days.
Estramustine phosphate sodium: 14 mg/kg/day orally in 3-4 divided doses, typically 140 mg four times daily. Administer on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals).
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateDacarbazine + Digoxin
"Dacarbazine may decrease the cardiotoxic activities of Digoxin."
Clinical Note
moderateDacarbazine + Digitoxin
"Dacarbazine may decrease the cardiotoxic activities of Digitoxin."
Clinical Note
moderateDacarbazine + Deslanoside
"Dacarbazine may decrease the cardiotoxic activities of Deslanoside."
Clinical Note
moderateDacarbazine + Acetyldigitoxin
"Dacarbazine may decrease the cardiotoxic activities of Acetyldigitoxin."
Terminal half-life: 5 hours (range 3-8 h) after IV administration; biphasic decay with initial half-life ~19 min.
Terminal half-life of estramustine phosphate: ~20 hours; estromustine: ~14 hours; clinical context: supports daily dosing with accumulation over 5-7 days
Renal: 40-50% unchanged; hepatic: 30-50% as metabolites (primarily 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide); <10% fecal.
Renal: primarily as estramustine phosphate, estromustine, and estradiol; <1% as unchanged drug; fecal: ~15%
Category D/X
Category C
Alkylating Agent
Alkylating Agent