Procarbazine

Procarbazine should not be used in case of any known allergy to either of the components. Avoid foods such as processed cheese, smoked fish, meats, overripe fruit, fermented wine, and yeast while taking Procarbazine. Procarbazine should be used with caution in case of high-risk or previous history cancers, cardiovascular health disorders, bleeding disorders, kidney disease, liver disease or anaemia. Keep your doctor informed of your medical history and if you suffer from epilepsy, an adrenal tumour such as phaeochromocytoma, or have had a stroke. Consult your doctor before using Procarbazine during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or even if you are trying to get pregnant. Keep your doctor informed if you are on painkillers or using any nasal decongestants or anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, antiepileptic, anaesthetic or analgesic medications. Keep your doctor informed in case you are undergoing any radiation therapy. Inform your doctor of your vaccination history and do not take any vaccines without consent. Avoid contact with those who have recently received live vaccines (like the nasal flu, pox, or MMR vaccine). Procarbazine makes your skin more sensitive to UV radiation. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing while venturing out in the sun. Procarbazine may interact with alcohol, please consult your doctor before use. Procarbazine may cause dizziness and is not recommended to take while driving or operating heavy machinery.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Procarbazine may interact with painkillers (pethidine), ADHD medicines (atomoxetine, bupropion, buspirone), anti-migraine drugs (triptans), narcotics (methadone, tapentadol), certain supplements (such as tryptophan, tyramine), certain drugs for Parkinson's disease (entacapone, levodopa, tolcapone), diet-pills and food suppressants (diethylpropion), antipsychotic (clozapine), antihypertensives (ramipril, enalapril, losartan), antiepileptics (phenytoin, carbamazepine) and anti-depressants (fluoxetine, duloxetine, venlafaxine, St John’s wort).

Drug-Food Interactions: Procarbazine can interact with alcohol and tobacco.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Procarbazine should be used with caution in patients with a known hypersensitivity disorder, asthma, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, stroke, heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorder, clotting problems and non-cancerous tumours such as phaeochromocytoma.

• Keep your doctor informed if you are planning to or are pregnant.

• Cancer can take a toll on anyone. Make sure you regularly see a therapist and take care of your mental health.

• Meditation and yoga have also proven very effective in helping cancer patients maintain a healthy attitude and body.

• Cut back on foods that are high in tyramine such as overripe fruit, processed cheese, smoked fish, meat etc. Eat more healthy meats, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods to give you more energy.

• Avoid taking Procarbazine with alcohol as there may be an interaction.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water as dehydration is often seen in cancers.

• Taking a stroll in the garden, or spending 30 mins of your time doing some light physical activity can be very useful. However, do not over-exert yourself if you feel too tired.

• Avoid tobacco use as smoking can increase the chances of lung cancer when used with Procarbazine. Inform your doctor in case of marijuana use.

• Take Procarbazine exactly as prescribed. 

• In case you miss a dose of Procarbazine, take it as soon as possible. However, revert to the original schedule if it is too close to the next dose. Do not ever take a double dose.

• Please inform your doctor immediately if you accidentally take an extra dose of Procarbazine. Some common symptoms of an overdose can be low blood pressure, slow pulse, shortness of breath, low blood sugar, fits, dizziness, feeling sick and discolouration of the skin.

•  Do not discontinue taking Procarbazine abruptly or without the advice of the physician.

• Please know that your doctor may order blood tests to check your tolerance and need of Procarbazine.

• Avoid getting out in the sun after taking Procarbazine and if you do, make sure you use a potent sunscreen and wear protective clothing.