PROCARBAZINE

Procarbazine is an alkylating agent used in cancer treatment. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved it in April 1981 for patients with stage III and IV Hodgkin lymphoma.

Procarbazine is an alkylating agent used to treat specific types of Hodgkin’s disease. It is also used alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents to produce regression in a variety of tumour types such as lymphomas and gliomas.

It is an orally available prescription drug. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the Procarbazine based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the capsule with or without food. Do not break, chew, or crush the capsule. Swallow the whole capsule with water.

The common side effects of Procarbazine are skin rash, slurred speech, loss of appetite, edema, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, allergic reactions, urinary disturbances, pain, weakness, depression, nervousness, nightmares, fever, sweating, chills, and hallucinations. Other serious side effects include liver disorder, infertility, lowering of white blood cell counts, and Inflammation of lung tissue. Inform your physician if you face any of the symptoms.

Procarbazine is not recommended in patients with lung disease as it may cause inflammation in lung tissue with symptoms including shortness of breath, cough, and a burning sensation in the chest. If you face symptoms of lung disease, report to the physician immediately within 24 hours. The drug may cause severe hepatotoxicity. Inform your doctor immediately if you have any symptoms related to the liver disorder, such as persistent vomiting, feeling sick, feeling tired, yellowing of the skin, or the whitening of the eyes ( jaundice). Your doctor may suggest an alternative medicine or dose adjustments can be done.

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Avoid consuming wine, yogurt, mature cheese, bananas, high tyramine-content foods like smoked or pickled meat, and fermented sausage while being treated with this medicine. Inform your physician if you have any liver disease, lung disease, blood/bleeding problems, or infection and about all the other prescribed, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal medications you take. This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

Procarbazine can affect your blood cell counts, and your doctor may need to monitor your blood levels regularly during treatment. Very close clinical monitoring is mandatory in paediatric disease conditions. This medicine may cause fertility issues; inform your doctor about any fertility concerns before starting treatment. This drug may cause dizziness. Do not drive, use machinery, or perform any activity requiring alertness until you know how it affects you. Store at 15°C–30°C. Keep out of sight and reach of children.

Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on Dec 2013] [Accessed on 28th Feb 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3732.pdf (Matulane). [Revised on March 2008] [Accessed on 28th Feb 2023], http://www.matulane.com/pdf/prescribe-info_matulane_20140422164502_508945.pdf Leadiant Biosciences, Inc., [Revised on 9th Aug 2017] [Accessed on 28th Feb 2023] , https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00040636.PDF Katzung, The Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th edition, 2011, 956. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Anticancer drugs, 7th edition, 2013, 861.