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Procarbazine ( pro-CAR-bah-zeen ) (Matulane®) What is this medication used for? Procarbazine is used to treat Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, brain tumors, and melanoma. It is a antineoplastic drug that slows the growth of cancer cells in the body.
• Damage to an unborn child (birth defects) if used during pregnancy • Vision changes • Neurotoxicity, such as seizures and hallucinations Special instructions: • Avoid alcohol and medicines that contain alcohol while taking procarbazine. Alcohol may increase nausea and vomiting. • Talk with a healthcare provider before using other prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines. They could cause serious side effects when combined with procarbazine. • Talk with a healthcare provider about foods that should be avoided while taking procarbazine, such as bananas, colas, coffee, tea, cheese, and yogurt. • While taking this medicine, avoid eating food that is spoiled, has not been stored properly, or is close to its expiration date. These foods may increase side effects by affecting the way the body processes procarbazine. • Do not become pregnant, father a child, or breastfeed while taking this medication. It may be important to use birth control while taking this medicine and for several months after treatment is completed.
What does it look like? • Capsule How is it given? • By mouth (oral or po) What are the common side effects? • Nausea or vomiting • Decrease in appetite (anorexia) • Mouth sores (mucositis) • Low red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts (pancytopenia) 2–4 weeks after treatment • Flu-like symptoms, such as feeling weak or tired, fever, chills, or muscle and joint pain • Feeling sad or hopeless (depression)
• Headache • Dizziness • Joint and muscle pain What are the less common side effects?
• Hair loss (alopecia) • Rash or itchy skin • Hives • Constipation (hard stools) • Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy) • Difficulty sleeping (Insomnia) • Mild shaking (tremors) A different cancer, such as leukemia, years after treatment (secondary malignancy) • Difficulty getting pregnant or fathering a child (infertility), especially when the medicine is taken with another chemotherapy medicine
Notes from Your Healthcare Team
Not all of the possible side effects of this medicine and precautions related to taking it are covered in this information sheet. For a complete list of side effects and precautions, ask your healthcare professional (doctor, nurse, pharmacist) for a manufacturer’s package insert or another reference.
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