procarbazine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Methylhydrazine cytotoxic chemotherapy with weak monoamine-oxidase-inhibiting activity.
Main licensed use
Hodgkin lymphoma; selected advanced lymphomas and solid tumours resistant to other treatment.
Administration
Oral capsule swallowed whole with water; do not open, crush or chew it.
Key monitoring
Regular blood counts and assessment for infection, bleeding and organ toxicity are essential.
What is procarbazine hydrochloride used for?
UK-licensed uses represented by the selected product include:
Hodgkin lymphoma in adults, alone or with other anticancer treatments.
Hodgkin lymphoma in children aged 2–18 years when combined with other antineoplastic treatment in an appropriate specialist protocol.
Other advanced lymphomas and some solid tumours that have proved resistant to other treatment.
How does procarbazine hydrochloride work?
Its precise antitumour mechanism is not fully established. Procarbazine is metabolically activated, and resulting reactive metabolites can damage DNA and disrupt cancer-cell growth; it also has weak monoamine-oxidase-inhibiting properties.
procarbazine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg
How to take procarbazine hydrochloride
Follow the oncology team’s written schedule exactly.
Swallow capsules whole with a glass of water; do not open, crush or chew them.
They may be taken with or without food unless the treatment team advises otherwise.
Avoid alcohol and follow any medicine-specific dietary advice supplied by the oncology team.
Do not repeat a capsule after vomiting unless the oncology team specifically tells you to.
procarbazine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Get urgent medical advice
- Low white-cell counts causing infection risk
- Low platelets causing unusual bruising or bleeding
- Severe allergic reaction, including swelling or breathing difficulty
- Inflammation of the lungs, causing breathlessness or cough
- Liver injury, including jaundice or abnormal liver tests
- Allergic skin reactions
procarbazine hydrochloride in pregnancy
Procarbazine is contraindicated during the first trimester and should be avoided during the remainder of pregnancy. Pregnancy, possible pregnancy and future pregnancy plans require prompt discussion with the oncology specialist.
procarbazine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated during procarbazine treatment because of the potential for serious harm to the infant. Feeding options should be discussed with the oncology and maternity teams.
procarbazine hydrochloride interactions
Procarbazine has weak monoamine-oxidase-inhibiting and central nervous system effects, so the complete medicine, supplement, food and drink history should be reviewed.
Pethidine and other strong opioid analgesics
Effects and toxicity may be increased; pethidine is specifically highlighted as a concern.
Sedatives, barbiturates, anaesthetics and other CNS depressants
Concurrent use may increase sedation and central nervous system depression.
Tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines and anticholinergic medicines
Procarbazine may potentiate their effects, requiring specialist review.
Common questions about procarbazine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is procarbazine hydrochloride chemotherapy?
Yes. It is an oral cytotoxic chemotherapy belonging to the methylhydrazine class.
Which cancers is procarbazine hydrochloride used to treat?
Its principal licensed use is Hodgkin lymphoma. The selected product is also licensed for certain advanced lymphomas and resistant solid tumours.
Can procarbazine hydrochloride be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.