Health Center

Hematology-Oncology Medical Group of the San Fernando Valley

Chemotherapy Drugs

Procarbazine capsules

What do procarbazine capsules do?

PROCARBAZINE (Matulane®) is a type of chemotherapy for treating cancer. Procarbazine interferes with the growth of cells. It is

used to treat a cancer of the blood called Hodgkin's disease. It is also sometimes used to treat other types of cancer. Generic

procarbazine capsules are not yet available.

What should my health care professional know before I take procarbazine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

·an alcohol problem

·bleeding problems

·blood disorders

·dental disease

·head injury

·heart disease

·infection (especially virus infection such as chickenpox or herpes)

·kidney disease

·liver disease

·Parkinson's disease

·pheochromocytoma

·recent radiation therapy

·seizures (convulsions)

·stroke

·thyroid disease

·an unusual or allergic reaction to procarbazine, other chemotherapy, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

·pregnant or trying to get pregnant

·breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take procarbazine capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water.

Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your

doctor or health care professional, even if the capsules make you feel unwell. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or

extra doses. If you vomit after taking a dose, call your prescriber or health care professional for advice.

What other medicines and foods can interact with procarbazine?

·alcohol

·medicine for anxiety or sleeping problems such as diazepam or temazepam

·medicines for colds and breathing difficulties

·medicines for hay fever and other allergies

·medicines for high blood pressure

·medicine for mental depression

·live virus vaccines

·phenytoin

·tyramine (present in some foods such as wine, yoghurt, cheese, ripe bananas, yeast, meat extracts, smoked or pickled meats)

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines,

nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks

with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your

health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking procarbazine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

·black tarry stools

·burning, tingling or pricking feeling in the skin

·dark yellow or brown urine

·difficulty breathing, wheezing or cough

·fever or chills, sore throat

·irregular heartbeat, palpitations or chest pain

·lower back pain

·missed menstrual periods

·mouth or throat sores

·nervousness, confusion, nightmares, hallucinations

·pain or difficulty passing urine

·seizures (convulsions)

·stiff neck, sweating and severe headache

·swollen face

·trembling

·unusual bleeding or bruising, red spots on the skin

·unusual tiredness or weakness

·vomiting

·yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are

bothersome):

·change in skin color (darkening)

·diarrhea

·difficulty sleeping

·dizziness

·headache

·increased sensitivity to the sun or ultraviolet light

·loss of appetite

·mental depression

·muscle or joint aches and pains

·nausea

What do I need to watch for while I take procarbazine?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for checks on your progress. You will need to have regular blood checks. The side

effects of procarbazine can continue after you finish your treatment; report side effects promptly.

Procarbazine may make you feel generally unwell. This is not uncommon because procarbazine affects good cells as well as cancer

cells. Report any side effects as above, but continue your course of medicine even though you feel ill, unless your prescriber or

health care professional tells you to stop.

You may get dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how procarbazine

affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient.

While you are using procarbazine, you will be more susceptible to infection. Try to avoid people with colds, flu, and bronchitis. Do

not have any vaccinations without your prescriber's approval and avoid anyone who has recently had oral polio vaccine.

Call your prescriber or health care professional for advice if you get a fever, chills or sore throat. Do not treat yourself. Do not take

any nonprescription products for coughs, colds, nasal congestion, hay fever, bites or stings without asking your prescriber or health

care professional.

Procarbazine can cause blood problems. This can mean slow healing and a risk of infection. Try to avoid cutting or injuring

yourself. Problems can arise if you need dental work, and in the day to day care of your teeth. Try to avoid damage to your teeth

and gums when you brush or floss your teeth.

Alcohol and caffeine can cause serious reactions with procarbazine. Avoid alcoholic drinks and those containing caffeine, such as

tea, coffee, cola or chocolate while you are taking procarbazine and for 14 days afterwards.

Avoid foods containing high amounts of tyramine (see interactions above), while you are taking procarbazine and for 14 days

afterwards.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you have taken procarbazine within the last 2

weeks.

Procarbazine can change male sperm or female eggs. Talk to your prescriber or health care professional about how this medicine

can affect your ability to have normal babies.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degreesC (59 and 86 degreesF). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed.

Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you

have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.

[ Revised 1/1/95]

This information was obtained from Clinical Pharmacology 2000 . For more information about this drug or about any other drug, click here.