What is procarbazine?
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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking procarbazine?
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You should not take procarbazine if you are allergic to it, or if you have bone marrow suppression. |
To make sure you can safely use procarbazine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- anemia (low red blood cells);
- low levels of platelets in the blood;
- low white blood cell counts;
- fluid retention; or
- if you have received other cancer medications or radiation within the past 30 days.
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FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use procarbazine if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. |
Procarbazine can lower sperm count in men, which may affect fertility (your ability to have children).
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It is not known whether procarbazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking procarbazine. |
How should I take procarbazine?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
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Procarbazine can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to bleed from an injury or get sick from being around others who are ill. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. |
To make sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
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Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. |
Overdose symptoms may include severe nausea and vomiting, tremors, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking procarbazine?
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Do not drink alcohol. Procarbazine can cause unpleasant side effects when you drink alcohol. |
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Avoid smoking during your treatment. Smoking may increase your risk of lung cancer while taking procarbazine. |
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
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Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using procarbazine. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), oral polio, typhoid, chickenpox (varicella), BCG (Bacillus Calmette and Guérin), and nasal flu vaccine. |
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While you are taking procarbazine, you should avoid foods that are high in tyramine, including: |
- avocados, bananas, figs, raisins, and sauerkraut;
- 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;
- beer (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), red wine (especially Chianti), sherry, vermouth, and other distilled spirits;
- caffeine (including coffee, tea, cola); and
- cheeses, including American, blue, boursault, brick, brie, camembert, cheddar, emmenthaler, gruyere, mozzarella, parmesan, romano, roquefort, stilton, and Swiss;
- chocolate;
- ginseng;
- sour cream and yogurt;
- soy sauce, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans; or
- yeast extracts.
Eating tyramine while you are taking procarbazine can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, causing life-threatening side effects.
What are the possible side effects of procarbazine?
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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. |
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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 other drugs will affect procarbazine?
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Before taking procarbazine, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They may increase certain side effects of procarbazine. |
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
- blood pressure medication;
- an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
- a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton);
- diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medication such as Adderall or Ritalin; or
- phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro), promethazine (Pentazine, Phenergan, Anergan, Antinaus), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluoperazine (Stelazine).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with procarbazine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about procarbazine.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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