Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Matulane

Generic Name: procarbazine (Pronunciation: pro CAR ba zeen)

• What is procarbazine (Matulane)?
• What are the possible side effects of procarbazine (Matulane)?
• What is the most important information I should know about procarbazine (Matulane)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking procarbazine (Matulane)?
• How should I take procarbazine (Matulane)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Matulane)?
• What happens if I overdose (Matulane)?
• What should I avoid while taking procarbazine (Matulane)?
• What other drugs will affect procarbazine (Matulane)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is procarbazine (Matulane)?

Procarbazine is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Procarbazine is given with other cancer medications to treat Hodgkin's Disease (a type of blood cancer).

Procarbazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of procarbazine (Matulane)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• diarrhea that is watery;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• numbness, burning pain, or tingly feeling;
• confusion, hallucinations, problems with vision or speech, trouble with walking or daily activities;
• feeling unsteady, loss of balance or coordination;
• tremors, seizure (convulsions);
• cough, chest pain, trouble breathing;
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
• easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• black, bloody, or tarry stools; or
• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain;
• dry mouth, constipation, mild diarrhea;
• temporary hair loss;
• mild itching or rash;
• muscle of joint pain;
• headache, dizziness, feeling tired;
• urinating more than usual; or
• changes in your menstrual periods.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about procarbazine (Matulane)?

You should not take procarbazine if you are allergic to it, or if you have bone marrow suppression.

Before you take procarbazine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, low white or red blood cell counts, low platelet counts, fluid retention, or if you have received other cancer medications or radiation within the past 30 days.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while taking procarbazine. The vaccine may not work as well during this time.

While you are taking procarbazine, you must not drink alcohol or eat foods that are high in tyramine, listed in the "What should I avoid while taking procarbazine?" section of this leaflet. Eating tyramine while you are taking procarbazine can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, causing life-threatening symptoms.

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