Procarbazine (Matulane) (The James)

Procarbazine (Matulane) (The James)

 

Taking Your Treatment Home

What you need to know about your Anti-Cancer Medicine

 

Here is important information on how to use, handle, and store your medicine, what side effects to look for and how to manage them.

What it looks like: White capsules with black ink

 

How to handle and store:

  • There are special safe handling instructions for this medicine. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about the precautions you need to follow when you take this medicine at home.
  • Store in a closed container in a dry place such as a cabinet away from light, heat and moisture.
  • Do not store in your bathroom or refrigerator.
  • Keep this medicine away from children and do not share it with anyone.

 

How to take:

  • Swallow the capsule with a full glass of water at bedtime. This medicine can be taken with or without food.
  • Do not crush, break or chew the capsule.
  • Do not take more capsules than ordered by your doctor.
  • If you miss a dose, wait until it is time for your next dose and skip the missed dose. Do not double up on doses.
  • Use a calendar or diary to keep track of what days and what times you take this medicine.

 

Disposal:

  • Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to get rid of prescription medicines safely.

 

Precautions:

  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal products.
  • Talk to your doctor before you start any new medicine.
  • Do not get pregnant while on this medicine. Talk with your doctor about what birth control to use.

 

Possible Side Effects

You can find more information on side effects in the Patient Education booklet, Treatment with Chemotherapy and Anti-Cancer Medicines.

 

High Blood Pressure Crisis

What this means: To limit this side effect, do not eat certain foods while you take Procarbazine and for 2 weeks after you stop the medicine. These foods include:

  • Do not drink alcohol (beer, wine or liquor) or caffeinated fluids, such as coffee and tea.
  • Do not eat strong, aged cheeses or fava beans.
  • Do not eat beef or chicken livers, caviar or smoked/ aged meats, such as salami, pepperoni, sausage and bologna.
  • Do not eat raspberries, ripe bananas, figs, sauerkraut or dried fruits.
  • Do not eat soybeans or products made from soybeans, such as soy sauce and teriyaki sauce.

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you have long-lasting headaches, dizziness, changes in your vision or a pounding in your chest. Tell your doctor about any major changes in your blood pressure.

 

Bleeding/Bruising/Black Stools

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if have bruising, bleeding, and black stools or if you have unusual bleeding, such as bright red blood in stools or nose bleeds that do not stop.
  • Call your doctor if you have sudden or severe stomach pain.
  • Do not use aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) for regular aches and pains.

 

Soreness of the Mouth or Throat (Mucositis)

What this means: You may get sores or blisters on your lips or in your mouth.

What to do:

  • Drink plenty of fluids and eat moist foods.
  • Do not smoke or drink alcohol. This can make your symptoms worse.

 

Nausea and Vomiting

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you are not able to keep down fluids for more than 24 hours or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
  • Take your anti-nausea medicine as ordered by your doctor.

 

Low White Blood Cells/Preventing Infection

What this means: You may be at risk for getting an infection when you take this medicine.

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if your temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Wear a mask and stay away from anyone who is sick.
  • Ask your doctor if you should get a flu or pneumococcal vaccine.

 

 

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor if you have these or any other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine. Your James health care team can give you other tips for how to manage your side effects.

 

 

© 7/20/2022. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.