Procarbazine: Information for Patients, Parents and Carers What is procarbazine? Procarbazine is a chemotherapy medicine commonly used in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma and brain cancers. What preparations of procarbazine are available? Procarbazine is available as 50mg capsules. At some hospitals, a liquid can be made in pharmacies which contains 10mg/ml. Apart from this, the procarbazine tablet form is not available. How does Procarbazine work? Procarbazine specifically kills cancer cells in the different phases of cell life. How is Procarbazine given? Procarbazine is given by mouth. The procarbazine 50mg comes as capsules, and consumed with food in order to reduce the risk of nausea as well as vomiting. Are there any precautions regarding food or other drugs? There are certain foods that should be avoided while taking procarbazine and also for at least 4 weeks following stop taking procarbazine. ● Avoid Marmite, Bovril, Vegemite and vitamin products. ● Fermented or ‘aged’ food, e.g. salami should be avoided. ● Eat certain foods in small amounts, e.g. bananas (but not overripe) and avocado. ● Avoid eating any leftover food. Prefer food as fresh as possible. ● Do not take cough/cold medication containing pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan and ephedrine. ● Do not use any nasal sprays/drops containing phenylephrine/ephedrine. ● Must take procarbazine at the same time every day. ● Check with the healthcare practitioner prior to giving any other prescription or non-prescription drugs, herbs, or vitamins.
What should I do in case of missed dose? If a procarbazine dose is missed, give it as quickly as you remember that particular day. Avoid giving a double dose. If your child pukes within 30 minutes following a dose, give it again. If your child pukes following 30 minutes, avoid repeating the dose. Contact your healthcare practitioner if more than 1 dose is missed/vomited. What are the side effects of Procarbazine?