Procarbazine is given with other cancer medicines to treat Hodgkin's Disease (a type of blood cancer).

Procarbazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Procarbazine can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or new signs of infection (fever, chills, mouth sores, pale skin).

Procarbazine comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken one or more times a day. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have. Take procarbazine at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take procarbazine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may adjust your dose of procarbazine or stop your treatment for a period of time depending on your response to treatment and any side effects that you experience. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Procarbazine can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. You will need frequent medical tests. Your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results of these tests.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You should not take procarbazine if you are allergic to it, or if you have bone marrow suppression.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• anemia (low red blood cells);

• low levels of platelets in the blood;

• low white blood cell counts;

• fluid retention; or

• if you have received other cancer medications or radiation within the past 30 days.

Procarbazine may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

procarbazine may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men.

You should not breastfeed while you are taking procarbazine.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or feeling lightheaded.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

You will need to avoid eating foods that contain very high amounts of tyramine, such as certain cheeses, yogurt, and bananas during your treatment with procarbazine. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about which foods you should avoid during your treatment or if you do not feel well after eating or drinking certain foods while taking procarbazine.

Do not drink alcohol. Unpleasant side effects could occur.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using procarbazine. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Avoid eating foods that are high in tyramine, including:

• avocados, bananas, figs, papaya, raisins, and sauerkraut;

• dried, aged or fermented meats;

• wine, beer on tap (not in a bottle or can);

• aged cheeses, including blue, boursault, brie, camembert, cheddar, gruyere, mozzarella, parmesan, Romano, Roquefort, and Swiss;

• soy sauce, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans; or

• yeast extracts, yogurt.

Eating tyramine while you are taking procarbazine can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels, causing life-threatening side effects.

Avoid smoking during your treatment. Smoking may increase your risk of lung cancer while taking procarbazine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Procarbazine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• diarrhea that is watery;

• numbness, burning pain, or tingly feeling;

• confusion, hallucinations, problems with vision or speech, trouble with walking or daily activities;

• feeling unsteady, loss of balance or coordination;

• tremors, seizure;

• cough, chest pain, trouble breathing;

• blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;

• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.

Common side effects of procarbazine may include:

• low blood cell counts; or

• nausea, vomiting.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Using procarbazine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• blood pressure medication;

• an antidepressant or sedative;

• diet pills, stimulants, or ADHD medication such as Adderall or Ritalin; or

• medicine to treat mental illness or psychosis.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect procarbazine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.