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The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL16853/0114.
Procarbazine Capsules 50mg
Procarbazine 50mg Capsules
Procarbazine hydrochloride
1. What Procarbazine 50mg Capsules are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Procarbazine 50mg Capsules
3. How to take Procarbazine 50mg Capsules
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Procarbazine 50mg Capsules
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Procarbazine is one of the group of medicines known as alkylating agents, which interfere with the growth of certain types of cells in the body.
Procarbazine is used as one of the chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of some cancers.
In adults, Procarbazine is used on its own or in combination with other drugs in the treatment of cancers such as Hodgkin’s disease (a cancer of the lymph glands).
In children (aged 2-18 years), Procarbazine is used in combination with other drugs in the treatment of Hodgkin’s disease.
Make sure your doctor knows if any of the above applies to you.
Talk to your doctor before taking Procarbazine 50mg Capsules:
Some types of vaccinations should not be given to you during or within at least six months of treatment with chemotherapy drugs such as procarbazine. Your doctor will be able to advise you on this. If you need any other medical treatment or surgery whilst taking Procarbazine 50mg Capsules, remember to tell the doctor or dentist treating you that you are taking this medicine.
Try to avoid people with infections whilst taking procarbazine. Check with your doctor immediately if you get a cough, cold, or any other infection.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
In particular, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
It is safe to use plain Paracetamol or Aspirin without speaking to your pharmacist.
Certain foods, drinks and medicines may cause an unpleasant reaction if taken whilst you are being treated with Procarbazine 50mg Capsules or during the two weeks after the course of treatment is completed. The most important foods and drinks that might cause such an effect are:
Mature cheeses (including processed cheeses), yeast or meat extracts (such as Marmite, Oxo and Bovril), broad bean pods, pickled herring, salami sausage, pepperoni sausage, bologna sausage, overripe fruit, alcoholic drinks (especially heavy red wines such as Chianti), non-alcoholic beers, lagers and wines and other foods which are not fresh, particularly if they have been fermented, pickled, smoked, ‘hung’ or ‘matured’.
These reactions are extremely rare and if you want to eat or drink anything on the list you could try a little at a time, until you are sure that it does not upset you. However, it is best to avoid alcohol altogether.
If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding, you should tell your doctor.
Pregnancy
Procarbazine should not be taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. Its use should also be avoided throughout the remainder of the pregnancy period.
Breast-feeding
Do not take Procarbazine if you are breast-feeding.
Fertility
Procarbazine may cause infertility which might mean that you are not able to have children.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Procarbazine can cause drowsiness. If affected you should not drive or use machinery.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Procarbazine is usually given in combination with other drugs and it is important that you (or your child) take each medicine at the right time. Sometimes treatment starts with a small dose (1 capsule per day) and is increased each day up to a maximum of six capsules per day.
If you swallow too many capsules or someone else accidentally takes your medicine, contact your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital straight away. Overdose can cause severe vomiting and feeling sick, dizziness, imagining sensations (hallucinations), depression, fits, low blood pressure and increased pulse rate.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due within a couple of hours. In this case you should skip the missed dose, go back to your regular dosing schedule and check with your doctor. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten capsule. The same applies if you forget to give a dose to your child at the right time.
Patients and carers should use gloves when handling urine or vomit produced for up to 48 hours after a dose of procarbazine has been taken.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
All medicines can cause allergic reactions although serious allergic reactions are very rare. Any sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling in any part of the body, rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body) should be reported to a doctor immediately.
Procarbazine may cause the following side effects:
Procarbazine in combination with other chemotherapy drugs has been associated with an increased occurrence of a rare cancer of the blood cells.
It is very important that you keep all hospital appointments whilst taking procarbazine so that your progress can be checked.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the internet at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children – preferably in a locked cupboard or medicine cabinet.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
In order that Procarbazine 50mg Capsules are always clearly identified they should not be removed from their blister packaging until you are ready to take them. Do not mix loose Procarbazine 50mg Capsules with other loose capsules or tablets. Store in the original container in order to protect from moisture. Do not store above 25°C.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substance is procarbazine hydrochloride. There is 50mg of procarbazine in each capsule. The other ingredients are mannitol, maize starch, talc and magnesium stearate. The capsule shells are made from gelatin, and also titanium dioxide (E171), shellac, propylene glycol, ammonium hydroxide and black iron oxide (E172).
Procarbazine 50mg Capsules are white, with ‘CL50’ on one half. They are produced in blister strips, each pack contains 50 capsules.
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This leaflet was last revised in December 2013.
Alliance, Alliance Pharmaceuticals and associated devices are registered trademarks of Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited
© Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited, 2013