What is the most important information I should know about 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 is 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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking procarbazine?
Before taking procarbazine, tell your doctor if you have:
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.
How should I take 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 miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of procarbazine.
What happens if I overdose?
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.
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