Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DACARBAZINE versus HEXALEN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DACARBAZINE versus HEXALEN.
DACARBAZINE vs HEXALEN
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.
Alkylating agent that crosslinks DNA, inhibiting DNA replication and transcription, and inducing apoptosis in rapidly dividing 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.
260 mg/m2/day orally in 4 divided doses for 14 or 21 days of a 28-day cycle.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal half-life: 5 hours (range 3-8 h) after IV administration; biphasic decay with initial half-life ~19 min.
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 elimination half-life is 12-13 hours; prolonged to 24 hours in renal impairment.
Renal: 40-50% unchanged; hepatic: 30-50% as metabolites (primarily 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide); <10% fecal.
Primarily renal and hepatic metabolism; 60-70% excreted in urine as unchanged drug and metabolites; 15-20% eliminated in feces via biliary secretion.
Category D/X
Category C
Alkylating Agent
Alkylating Agent