Matulane

Generic name: Procarbazine
Drug class: Miscellaneous antineoplastics

Usage of Matulane

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

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

Matulane side effects

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

Matulane may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

diarrhea that is watery;

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;

cough, chest pain, trouble breathing;

blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;

bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

low blood cell counts--fever, chills, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Common side effects of Matulane may include:

low blood cell counts; or

nausea, vomiting.

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.

Before taking Matulane

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

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

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.

Matulane may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Matulane may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men.

You should not breastfeed while you are taking Matulane.

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How to use Matulane

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Matulane can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You will need frequent medical tests. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Warnings

Matulane can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or new signs of infection (fever, chills, mouth sores, pale skin).

What other drugs will affect Matulane

Using Matulane with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

blood pressure medication;

an antidepressant or sedative;

diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medication such as Adderall or Ritalin; or

medicine to treat mental illness or psychosis.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Matulane, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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