procarbazine
Other Name: Matulane®
- For treating lymphomas and cancer arising in the brain.
- Tell your doctor if you have/had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have / had radiation, alcoholism or any allergies.
- Procarbazine may harm the unborn baby.
- Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding, pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- People who have cancer are at a higher risk of developing other cancers or blood clots. Also, some cancer medications may increase these risks. You should discuss these with your doctor.
- Procarbazine should not be used if you are pregnant. If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must:►Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug. Keep using birth control until 6 months after the last dose (general recommendation). Discuss with your healthcare team.
- Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant.
- Do not breastfeed while taking this drug.
- Effects on Fertility: Yes
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Take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Make sure you understand the instructions.
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Swallow whole with a glass of water, with or without food.
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Take the dose at about the same time each day.
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Do not crush or open the capsules.
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If you miss a dose, take it if it is within 12 hours from the missed dose, otherwise skip and take your next dose as scheduled. Do not double the dose to make up for the forgotten one.
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This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
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Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
- It is very important to follow diet restrictions to avoid food and drinks containing tyramine, caffeine and alcohol (Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or speak to a dietitian to get more information on the low tyramine diet).
- DO NOT drink alcoholic beverages while taking procarbazine, or for 10-14 days after taking the last capsule(s).
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Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
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Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
- The following side effects are common or severe. You may not have all of the side effects. Other side effects may occur. If you have any unusual or bothersome symptoms, discuss with your doctor.
Very Common Side Effects (50 or more out of 100 people) | |
Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
Nightmares, hallucinations, confusion, insomnia
|
Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Flu-like feeling
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Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Mouth sores
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Talk to your health care team as soon as possible |
Unusual bleeding or bruising You may have black stools, cough up blood, blood in your urine, purple or red dots on your skin or bleeding that will not stop. Fever, chills, infection You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
While you are getting chemotherapy treatments:
If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Nausea and vomiting
|
Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Tingling, numb toes or fingers, weakness
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Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Rash; dry, itchy skin
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Talk to your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Less Common Side Effects (10 to 24 out of 100 people) | |
Side effects and what to do | When to contact health care team |
Liver problems |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Lung problems |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Pancreas problems |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Heart problems |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Allergic reaction |
Get emergency medical help right away |
Blood clot (limb pain or swelling, hardened vein in limb), may occur in lungs (sudden start of coughing, breathing problems, chest pain, coughing blood) |
Get emergency medical help right away |
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.