Procarbazine
Procarbazine is a chemotherapy medicine used in combination with other anticancer drugs to treat advanced Hodgkin's disease.
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand
The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 1 clinical label set within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →
⚠️ FDA Boxed Warning — the FDA’s strongest safety alert ▾
Matulane should only be prescribed and supervised by a physician who has experience using powerful anticancer (antineoplastic) drugs. This medicine has serious risks, and patients must have access to proper medical facilities and laboratory monitoring throughout treatment. Do not take this medication without ongoing oversight from a qualified oncology specialist.
📖 Procarbazine: Patient Information Guide
A plain-language walkthrough of Procarbazine — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.
🎯What it's used for▾
Procarbazine is a chemotherapy ingredient used to treat advanced Hodgkin's disease as part of a multi-drug regimen.
- Matulane (oral capsule) is approved for use in combination with other anticancer drugs for Stage III and IV Hodgkin's disease — this means the cancer has spread significantly through the lymphatic system or to other organs
- Matulane is specifically used as part of the MOPP regimen, which combines nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone
⚙️How it works▾
Procarbazine works by interfering with the processes cancer cells rely on to copy themselves. It appears to block the production of proteins, RNA, and DNA — the machinery a cell needs to grow and divide. It may also directly damage DNA and generate reactive molecules (hydrogen peroxide) that attack proteins tightly bound to DNA inside tumor cells. The drug is processed mainly in the liver and kidneys and can cross the blood-brain barrier, meaning it reaches the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
💊How it's taken▾
Matulane is taken by mouth as a capsule. When part of a combination regimen like MOPP, the dose is reduced compared to single-agent use and is based on your body surface area — your oncologist calculates this. If you experience significant side effects, particularly drops in blood counts, your doctor may pause treatment and restart at a lower dose once you recover.
- Dose and schedule are always set and adjusted by your prescribing oncologist
- Do not change how much or how often you take Matulane without talking to your doctor first
🤒Side effects — in detail▾
Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects, especially when starting Matulane. Other frequent reactions include:
- Low blood counts: low white cells (leukopenia), low platelets (thrombocytopenia), anemia
- Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or constipation
- Drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, or headache
- Skin rash, itching, or flushing
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy)
- Depression, confusion, or mood changes
Serious reactions — such as seizures, signs of infection (fever, chills), unusual bleeding, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or vision changes — need immediate medical attention. A rare but important long-term risk is the development of a second cancer, including leukemia, particularly when procarbazine is combined with other chemotherapy or radiation.
⚠️Warnings & precautions▾
- Bone marrow suppression: Procarbazine regularly lowers blood counts, increasing the risk of serious infection and bleeding. Frequent blood tests are essential throughout treatment.
- MAO inhibition and food/drug interactions: The drug mildly inhibits an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO). This means eating tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, wine, yogurt, bananas) or taking certain drugs can cause dangerous blood pressure spikes.
- Alcohol: Must be completely avoided — combining alcohol with procarbazine can cause a severe disulfiram-like reaction (flushing, rapid heart rate, nausea).
- Fetal harm: This drug can cause birth defects. Women who can become pregnant must use effective contraception and should not become pregnant while on this medication.
- Secondary cancers: Treatment with procarbazine (especially combined with other chemotherapy or radiation) has been linked to later development of leukemia and lung cancer. Tobacco use multiplies the lung cancer risk.
- Fertility: Procarbazine in combination chemotherapy regimens has been associated with azoospermia (absence of sperm) and reduced fertility in men.
🔀What it interacts with▾
Procarbazine has several important interactions — some can be dangerous. Tell your oncology team about every medication, supplement, and food you consume.
- Alcohol: Can trigger a severe Antabuse-like reaction — must be completely avoided
- Tyramine-rich foods (aged cheeses, wine, yogurt, ripe bananas): Can cause dangerous blood pressure increases due to procarbazine's mild MAO-inhibiting effect
- Sympathomimetic drugs (found in decongestants and some cold medicines): Risk of sudden high blood pressure
- Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, imipramine): Serious interaction risk; avoid unless explicitly directed by your physician
- Barbiturates, antihistamines, opioid pain medicines, blood pressure drugs, and phenothiazines: Use with caution — procarbazine can intensify their sedating or blood-pressure-lowering effects
This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
📋Before taking it▾
- Do not take Matulane if you have a known allergy to procarbazine
- Do not take Matulane if your bone marrow is already severely suppressed (very low white blood cells, platelets, or red blood cells)
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant — procarbazine can cause serious fetal harm; birth defects have been reported
- Women who can become pregnant should avoid becoming pregnant while taking this drug
- Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you take
- Children taking Matulane require very close monitoring; serious neurological side effects (tremors, seizures, coma) have occurred in pediatric patients
- Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, as the drug is processed by both organs
🚑If you take too much▾
Taking too much Matulane may cause severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, very low blood pressure, tremors, seizures, or loss of consciousness. If an overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical care immediately. Doctors will monitor blood counts and liver function closely for at least two weeks after an overdose, since the main toxicity affects the blood and liver.
📡Pharmacodynamics — effects in the body▾
Procarbazine disrupts cancer cell growth by blocking the synthesis of proteins, RNA, and DNA — molecules cells must produce to replicate. It also appears to directly damage DNA and generates hydrogen peroxide, which attacks proteins bound tightly to DNA inside cells. These combined effects stop cancer cells from dividing and can trigger cell death.
🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it▾
Procarbazine is rapidly and completely absorbed when taken by mouth, with peak blood levels reached within about 60 minutes. It is metabolized primarily in the liver and kidneys and is broken down into several byproducts; about 70% of the drug is eliminated in the urine within 24 hours. Notably, it crosses the blood-brain barrier and quickly reaches the cerebrospinal fluid — the fluid around the brain and spinal cord — after an oral dose.
📄 Written from Procarbazine’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →
Supplements & herbs that interact with Procarbazine
24 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Procarbazine in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.
- Major · 1
- Moderate · 14
- Minor · 9
Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.
Nutrient depletion considerations
Procarbazine has been associated with lower levels of 1 nutrient in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.
Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.
🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner
Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Procarbazine — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.
What exactly is Matulane used for? ▾
Are nausea and vomiting going to be a big problem? ▾
Why do I have to avoid alcohol and certain foods while taking this? ▾
How will my doctor know if the medicine is working or causing problems? ▾
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or might become pregnant? ▾
Are there long-term risks I should know about? ▾
Is Procarbazine available over the counter? ▾
When was Procarbazine first available? ▾
Who makes Procarbazine? ▾
💬 Answers drafted from Procarbazine’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →
🧰 Keep exploring
💊 How Procarbazine comes
Procarbazine is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.
Capsule
How this form is used
- Matulane capsules are used in combination with other anticancer drugs to treat Stage III and IV Hodgkin's disease
- Matulane is a core part of the MOPP chemotherapy regimen (nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone)
- Matulane capsules are taken by mouth; the dose and schedule are individualized by your oncologist based on body size and response
- Matulane is given at a lower dose when used as part of a combination regimen like MOPP — your doctor will set the exact schedule
- If blood counts drop too low or other signs of toxicity appear, Matulane will be stopped temporarily until you recover
- Follow your prescriber's and pharmacist's directions exactly; do not adjust your dose on your own
📊 Procarbazine across the U.S. market
How Procarbazine appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.
Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (4) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.
Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.
🔍 Compare Procarbazine products
A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Procarbazine — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)
| Strength | Route | Manufacturer / Labeler | Category ⓘ | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💊Capsule | ||||
| 50 mg | Oral | Leadiant Biosciences, Inc. × 3 listings | NDA | View NDC → |
| 💊Bulk drug substance | ||||
| 5 g/5 g | — | Darmerica, Llc × 2 listings | BULK INGREDIENT | View NDC → |
| 1 kg/kg | — | F.i.s. Fabbrica Italiana Sintetici S.p.a. × 2 listings | BULK INGREDIENT | View NDC → |
Showing 7 of 7 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 7 Procarbazine NDCs →
📈 What people report — real-world data (FDA FAERS)
After a medicine reaches the market, patients, doctors and drugmakers can send the FDA reports of problems they think may be linked to it. Here’s what’s been reported for Procarbazine — a signal of what to watch for, not proof the drug caused it.
Source: openFDA, from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary reports — they don’t prove the drug caused the effect, and counts reflect how often something was reported, not how often it actually happens. Reports also often name the very problem the medicine is taken for — a common reason to file one is that the drug didn’t help — so for a pain reliever you may see “pain” high on the list; that points to why the report was filed, not to the drug causing the symptom. This counts every report that lists Procarbazine in any role, so the total runs higher than the FDA’s official dashboard, which counts only cases where the drug is the suspect. For the authoritative figures, see the FDA FAERS Public Dashboard. Always talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
🏛️ The road to your pharmacy
How Procarbazine went from FDA review to the pharmacy shelf — the key milestones in its regulatory journey.
Source: Drugs@FDA.
🚨 Recall history
A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.
Source: openFDA drug enforcement (recall) reports.
RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength
This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.
RxCUI 8702 1 dose form · 1 strength
-
Dose form (SCDF) Oral Capsule RxCUI 373602In current FDA listingsClinical drug / strength (SCD) 50 MGRxCUI 314167
Look up RxCUI 8702 in the RxCUI Atlas →
RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.
📦 Supply & shortage status
Whether Procarbazine is in short supply in the U.S. right now, plus any shortage history the FDA has on record. A shortage usually reflects a manufacturing or demand issue — not a safety problem with the drug.
Source: openFDA, from the FDA Drug Shortages database.
🏷️ Sold under these brand names
🏭 Manufacturers & labelers
RxNorm drug class
Procarbazine belongs to the Alkylating Drug class.
Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.
🔬 Where this comes from
Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.
How we combine label and product data
HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 1 FDA-filed SPL label set within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.
For canonical ingredient pages, bounded product-attributed indication and administration excerpts may be added to the AI evidence, and the generator is instructed to preserve available product, brand, route, and form qualifiers instead of treating one label as universal. Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Leadiant Biosciences, Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.
This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.