What is Matulane (Procarbazine)?
Procarbazine is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Procarbazine interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Procarbazine is used to treat Hodgkin’s Disease (a type of blood cancer).
Procarbazine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
(Procarbazine)?
Procarbazine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Serious side effects have been reported with the use of procarbazine including: allergic reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; fever or chills; or signs of infection such as fever; chills, or sore throat); nervous system side effects (numbness, tingling, or confusion); sore in or around the mouth; and diarrhea. Talk to your doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with procarbazine.
Avoid alcohol, chocolate, and all of the foods listed in the “What should I avoid while taking procarbazine?” section of this leaflet. Foods high in tyramine can cause a severe reaction, including a severe headache, large pupils, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, irregular heartbeats, and chest pain. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the symptoms listed above.
Procarbazine may interact with many other medications, sometimes resulting in serious side effects. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with procarbazine without first talking to your doctor.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Matulane (Procarbazine)?
Before taking procarbazine, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- bone marrow problems; or
- glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency
You may not be able to take procarbazine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Procarbazine is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that procarbazine is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Procarbazine may also affect egg production in women and sperm production in men. Do not take procarbazine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Contraceptive measures are recommended during treatment with procarbazine.
It is not known whether procarbazine passes into breast milk. Do not take procarbazine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
Matulane Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Matulane (Procarbazine)?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat; difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives)
- decreased bone marrow function and blood problems (extreme fatigue; easy bruising or bleeding; black, bloody or tarry stools; or fever, chills, or signs of infection)
- numbness, tingling, or confusion
- any sore in or around the mouth; or
- diarrhea or watery stools
Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience:
- temporary hair loss
- itching or rash
- nausea, vomiting, or weight loss
- dizziness
- vision or eye problems
- increased urination
- muscle or joint pain
- nervousness, depression, or nightmares
- hearing problems
- fatigue
In some cases, second cancers have been reported to occur during and following treatment with procarbazine. Procarbazine may also affect egg production in women and sperm production in men. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Matulane Interactions
What other drugs affect Matulane (Procarbazine)?
Procarbazine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, other antihistamines, pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Dangerous sedation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur if procarbazine is taken with any of these medications.
Do not receive “live” vaccines during treatment with procarbazine. Administration of a live vaccine may be dangerous during treatment with procarbazine.
Procarbazine may also interact with many other medications, sometimes resulting in serious side effects. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with procarbazine without first talking to your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Matulane (Procarbazine)?
Procarbazine can lower the activity of your immune system making you susceptible to infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses and do not receive vaccines that contain live strains of a virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) during treatment with procarbazine. In addition, avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live vaccine. There is a chance that the virus can be passed on to you.
Foods that have high levels of tyramine can cause a severe reaction, including a severe headache, large pupils, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, irregular heartbeats, chest pain, and death. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. Avoid the following foods:
- cheeses, including american, blue, boursault, brick, brie, camembert, cheddar, emmenthaler, gruyere, mozzarella, parmesan, romano, roquefort, stilton, and swiss
- sour cream and yogurt
- beef or chicken liver, fish, meats prepared with tenderizer, bologna, pepperoni, salami, summer sausage, game meat, meat extracts, caviar, dried fish, herring, and shrimp paste
- avocados, bananas, figs, raisins, and sauerkraut
- soy sauce, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans
- yeast extracts
- ginseng
- chocolate
- caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, etc.); and
- beer (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), red wine (especially Chianti), sherry, vermouth, and other distilled spirits
Do not take any prescription or over-the-counter medicines without first talking to your doctor. Other medications can also cause severe reactions if they are taken with procarbazine.
Matulane Dosage
How should I take Matulane (Procarbazine)?
Take procarbazine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, as your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to explain them to you.
Take each oral dose with a large glass of water.
Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other medical evaluations during treatment with procarbazine to monitor progress and side effects.
Store procarbazine tablets at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep this product out of the reach of children.
What happens if I overdose on Matulane (Procarbazine)?
If for any reason an overdose of procarbazine is suspected, seek emergency medical attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Symptoms of a procarbazine overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the medication, although often more severe.
What happens if I miss a dose of Matulane (Procarbazine)?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of procarbazine.
Edited from everydayhealth.com