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Matulane Side Effects

Generic name: procarbazine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 21, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Matulane Side Effects associated with procarbazine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Matulane.

Applies to procarbazine: oral capsule.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (capsule)

It is recommended that procarbazine hydrochloride be given only by or under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of potent antineoplastic drugs.

Adequate clinical and laboratory facilities should be available to patients for proper monitoring of treatment.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor or hospital emergency room immediately if severe headache, stiff neck, chest pains, fast heartbeat, or nausea and vomiting occur while you are taking this medicine. These may be symptoms of a serious high blood pressure reaction that should have a doctor's attention.

When taken with certain foods, drinks, or other medicines, procarbazine (the active ingredient contained in Matulane) can cause very dangerous reactions such as sudden high blood pressure. To avoid such reactions, obey the following rules of caution :

After you stop using this medicine you must continue to obey the rules of caution concerning food, drink, and other medication for at least 2 weeks since procarbazine may continue to react with certain foods or other medicines for up to 14 days after you stop taking it.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people to become drowsy or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

While you are being treated with procarbazine, and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccinations) without your doctor's approval. Procarbazine may lower your body's resistance and there is a chance you might get the infection the immunization is meant to prevent. In addition, other persons living in your household should not take or should not have recently taken oral polio vaccine since there is a chance they could pass the polio virus on to you. Also, avoid persons who have taken oral polio vaccine. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you cannot take these precautions, you should consider wearing a protective face mask that covers the nose and mouth.

Procarbazine can lower the number of white blood cells in your blood temporarily, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

For diabetic patients:

If you are going to have surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine or have used it within the past 2 weeks.

Your doctor may want you to carry an identification card stating that you are using this medicine.

Along with their needed effects, medicines like procarbazine can sometimes cause unwanted effects such as blood problems, loss of hair, high blood pressure reactions, and other side effects. These and others are described below. Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Stop taking procarbazine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:

Rare side effects

  • chest pain (severe)
  • enlarged pupils of eyes
  • fast or slow heartbeat
  • headache (severe)
  • increased sensitivity of eyes to light
  • increased sweating (possibly with fever or cold, clammy skin)
  • stiff or sore neck
  • fainting
  • skin rash, hives, or itching
  • wheezing

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking procarbazine:

Less common side effects

  • black, tarry stools
  • blood in urine or stools
  • bloody vomit
  • cough or hoarseness
  • fever or chills
  • lower back or side pain
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pinpoint red spots on skin
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • diarrhea
  • sores in mouth and on lips
  • tingling or numbness of fingers or toes
  • unsteadiness or awkwardness
  • yellow eyes or skin

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking procarbazine:

More common side effects

  • confusion
  • convulsions (seizures)
  • cough
  • hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
  • missing menstrual periods
  • shortness of breath
  • thickening of bronchial secretions
  • tiredness or weakness (continuing)

Other side effects of Matulane

Some side effects of procarbazine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • drowsiness
  • muscle or joint pain
  • muscle twitching
  • nausea and vomiting
  • nervousness
  • nightmares
  • trouble in sleeping
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

  • constipation
  • darkening of skin
  • difficulty in swallowing
  • dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
  • dry mouth
  • feeling of warmth and redness in face
  • headache
  • loss of appetite
  • mental depression

This medicine may cause a temporary loss of hair in some people. After treatment with procarbazine has ended, normal hair growth should return.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to procarbazine: oral capsule.

Hematologic adverse events

Gastrointestinal

Nervous system

Cardiovascular

Ocular

Respiratory

Dermatologic

Hypersensitivity

Genitourinary

Musculoskeletal

Psychiatric

Oncologic

Other

Immunologic

Hepatic

See also:

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Matulane (procarbazine)." Roche Laboratories

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

Further information

Matulane side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.