Procarbazine

• Procarbazine may be prescribed as part of combination chemotherapy regimens for certain patients with Hodgkin's disease.

When should one not use Procarbazine

• Known hypersensitivity (allergy) to Procarbazine or any of the ingredients in the capsule.
• Inadequate bone marrow reserve.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Low white blood cell count (leukopenia), low red blood cell count (anaemia), and low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite, dry mouth, constipation, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing
• Headache, dizziness, unsteadiness while walking, tremors, weakness, tiredness, drowsiness
• Skin rash, itching, hair loss, darkening of the skin, flushing
• Joint or muscle pain
• Fever, sweating, chills, trouble sleeping, hoarseness, slurred speech
• Low blood pressure, fast heart rate, fainting
• Mood changes such as nervousness, apprehension, or depression
• Enlargement of breast tissue in boys who have not yet completed puberty
• A drop in blood counts can increase the risk of serious infection, bleeding, or severe anaemia.
• Liver problems
• Lung inflammation
• Severe allergic reactions.
• Mouth ulcers or persistent soreness of the mouth,
• Eye problems, including blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light, or difficulty focusing, have been reported.
• Blood in the urine

Other General Warnings

• You develop fever, chills, or signs of infection
• You notice unusual bruising, bleeding gums, blood in your urine or stool, or tiny red/purple spots on your skin.
• You feel unusually tired, breathless, or pale.
• You develop mouth ulcers or persistent soreness in your mouth.
• You have frequent, watery bowel movements.
• You have a history of heart or blood pressure problems.
• You have lung disease or develop new breathing symptoms.
• Take Procarbazine exactly as prescribed, at the same time each day, and never change or stop the dose without speaking to your doctor.
• Attend all scheduled blood tests to closely monitor your white cells, red cells, and platelets during treatment.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you develop fever, unusual bruising or bleeding, mouth ulcers, or watery diarrhoea.
• Completely avoid alcohol and high-tyramine foods such as wine, aged cheese, yogurt, and bananas during treatment.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Alcohol: Procarbazine may cause a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol. Avoid alcohol completely during treatment.
• Sympathomimetics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tyramine-rich foods: Procarbazine has MAO-inhibitory activity and may cause dangerous increases in blood pressure or other serious reactions. Avoid these combinations as advised by your doctor.
• Other chemotherapy or radiotherapy: May increase the risk of severe bone marrow suppression when given with Procarbazine.
• CNS depressants: Medicines such as barbiturates, sedating antihistamines, opioids, and phenothiazines may increase drowsiness and sedation.
• Inform your doctor about all prescription and OTC medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you take before and during treatment.

Interactions with food items

Overdose

Missed a Dose