Procarbazine

Procarbazine is a prescription medication that is given in combination with other cancer medications to treat Hodgkin’s disease (a type of blood cancer).

• Procarbazine is available under the following different brand names: Matulane

Common side effects of Procarbazine include:

• nausea and vomiting (may be severe)
• loss of appetite
• stomach pain
• constipation
• dry mouth
• diarrhea
• difficulty swallowing
• drowsiness
• tiredness
• dizziness
• headache
• trouble sleeping
• muscle or joint pain
• temporary hair loss
• darkening of the skin
• itching or rash
• urinating more than usual
• changes in the menstrual periods

Serious side effects of Procarbazine include:

• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• watery diarrhea
• numbness
• burning pain
• tingly feeling
• confusion
• hallucinations
• problems with vision or speech
• trouble with walking or daily activities
• feeling unsteady
• loss of balance or coordination
• tremors
• seizure
• cough
• chest pain
• blisters or ulcers in the mouth
• red or swollen gums
• trouble swallowing
• bloody or tarry stools
• coughing up blood
• vomiting that looks like coffee grounds
• loss of appetite
• stomach pain (upper right side)
• tiredness
• itching
• dark urine
• clay-colored stools
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• fever
• chills
• easy bruising
• unusual bleeding
• pale skin
• cold hands and feet
• lightheadedness
• shortness of breath

Rare side effects of Procarbazine include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, light-headedness, or passing out

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Capsule

• 50 mg

Hodgkin’s disease

Adult and geriatric dosage

• Part of COPP, BEACOPP and MOPP regimens
• 2-4 mg/kg/day in single or divided doses for 7 days; increase the dose by 4-6 mg/kg/day until maximum response obtained or below 4,000 cells/mm3 or platelets below 100,000 cells/mm3; reduce dosage to 1-2 mg/kg/day after maximum effect obtained
• Alternatively, 100 mg/m2 orally once a day for 7-14 days of each 28-day cycle in combo with other antineoplastics
• Monitor: CBC

Pediatric dosage

• 50 mg/m2 orally once a day for 7 days; increase to 100 mg/m2/day until maximum response obtained or leukopenia or thrombocytopenia observed
• Monitor: CBC

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

• See "Dosages"

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.

• Procarbazine has severe interactions with at least 78 other drugs.
• Procarbazine has serious interactions with at least 59 other drugs.
• Procarbazine has moderate interactions with at least 107 other drugs.
• Procarbazine has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • amobarbital
  • butabarbital
  • celandine
  • panax ginseng
  • phenobarbital
  • pleurisy root
  • primidone
  • secobarbital

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Severe anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, bone marrow depression

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Procarbazine?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Procarbazine?”

Cautions

• Discontinue if CNS S/S, hypersensitivity reaction, stomatitis, diarrhea, hemorrhage, hemolysis
• Discontinue if WBC below 4000/mm3 and/or platelets below 100,000/mm3
• Caution in hepatic/renal impairment
• Avoid alcohol, food high in tyramine
• Avoid pregnancy
• May cause infertility
• Has MAO inhibitor activity (potential for food and drug interactions)

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug is available
• Lactation
  • Excreted in breast milk, so do not nurse