provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content

Matulane

procarbazine
Used for Hodgkin Lymphoma
Used for Hodgkin Lymphoma

Matulane (procarbazine) is taken by mouth and used along with other anticancer drugs to treat Stage III and IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It’s convenient because you typically take it once a day. But it can cause a lot of nausea and vomiting, and make you more likely to get infections and bleeds since it can lower your blood counts. Matulane (procarbazine) also interacts with alcohol and certain types of food, so you’ll have to watch what you eat to avoid serious side effects.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Jenny Zhang, PharmD, BCOP
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on May 1, 2022
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsContraindicationsPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Matulane (procarbazine)?

What is Matulane (procarbazine) used for?

  • Stage III and IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma, in combination with other medications

How Matulane (procarbazine) works

The exact way that Matulane (procarbazine) works on cancer cells isn’t clearly known. It’s thought to prevent the cancer cells from making the proteins and genetic material they need to grow and survive. Matulane (procarbazine) is also thought to directly damage the cancer cells’ genetic material, which leads to cell death.

Are you looking for information on Lysodren (mitotane) or dacarbazine instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsMatulane
Drug ClassAntineoplastic agent
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Matulane (procarbazine)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Other Side Effects

  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Lack of appetite
  • Stomach pain
  • Dry mouth
  • Nerve pain
  • Headache
  • Fast heart rate
  • Eye problems
  • Rash
  • Hair loss
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Mood changes

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Change in mental status (central nervous system toxicity): coma, tremors, convulsions, seizures, confusion
  • Serious infections: repeated fevers, chills, sweating, cough, trouble breathing, sore throat, stuffy nose, severe diarrhea, vomiting, painful or frequent urination
  • Serious bleeds: bleeding or bruising that doesn’t stop or go away, large amount of bleeding, blood in the urine, throwing up blood, bloody or black and tarry stool

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with their needed effects, medicines like procarbazine can sometimes cause unwanted effects such as blood problems, loss of hair, high blood pressure reactions, and other side effects. These and others are described below. Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer, such as leukemia. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following effects occur:

Rare

Chest pain (severe)

enlarged pupils of eyes

fast or slow heartbeat

headache (severe)

increased sensitivity of eyes to light

increased sweating (possibly with fever or cold, clammy skin)

stiff or sore neck

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Black, tarry stools

blood in urine or stools

bloody vomit

cough or hoarseness

fever or chills

lower back or side pain

painful or difficult urination

pinpoint red spots on skin

unusual bleeding or bruising

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Confusion

convulsions (seizures)

cough

hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)

missing menstrual periods

shortness of breath

thickening of bronchial secretions

tiredness or weakness (continuing)

Less common

Diarrhea

sores in mouth and on lips

tingling or numbness of fingers or toes

unsteadiness or awkwardness

yellow eyes or skin

Rare

Fainting

skin rash, hives, or itching

wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Drowsiness

muscle or joint pain

muscle twitching

nausea and vomiting

nervousness

nightmares

trouble in sleeping

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Constipation

darkening of skin

difficulty in swallowing

dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position

dry mouth

feeling of warmth and redness in face

headache

loss of appetite

mental depression

This medicine may cause a temporary loss of hair in some people. After treatment with procarbazine has ended, normal hair growth should return.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Matulane (procarbazine)

thumbs-up

Pros

Oral pill

Can be used in children

Available as a lower-cost generic medication

thumbs-down

Cons

Can cause a lot of nausea and vomiting

Can raise your risk for infections or bleeding and bruising

Has many food and medication interactions

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Matulane (procarbazine)

pharmacist

  • Depending on the treatment regimen, your provider might have you start by splitting up the daily dose of Matulane (procarbazine) into several smaller doses and taking those throughout the day. Doing so can help with the nausea and vomiting you might experience while taking this medication. As always, follow your provider’s instructions on how to take Matulane (procarbazine).

    • Avoid alcohol and products with alcohol in them while taking Matulane (procarbazine). Drinking alcohol while taking this medication can cause stomach upset, flushing, nausea, vomiting, and headaches.

      • You’ll have to avoid certain foods while taking Matulane (procarbazine) because they can raise your blood pressure, potentially to dangerous levels. You should avoid foods with high amounts of tyramine, such as wine, yogurt, aged cheese, fermented soy products (soy sauce, miso), aged meats (salami, pepperoni), and bananas.

        • You should avoid over-the-counter medications that contain antihistamines, like common allergy medications, and nasal decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or phenylephrine (Sudafed PE). These medications can also raise your blood pressure when taken with Matulane (procarbazine). Talk to your pharmacist about other ways to treat your allergies, cold, or flu symptoms.

          • You’ll need to get labs frequently to monitor your blood cell counts since Matulane (procarbazine) can lower your blood cell counts and make you at risk for bleeding or developing infections. Follow the lab schedule given to you by your provider.

            • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the best way to handle and throw away Matulane (procarbazine) safely. Anticancer medications can be very harmful to people who handle or come into contact with them.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Matulane (procarbazine)

              Is Matulane (procarbazine) a recommended treatment option for Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
              There are several chemotherapy regimens that are recommended for treating Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Matulane (procarbazine) is used in one of these treatments in combination with other chemotherapy medications. Your provider will choose the most appropriate option for you depending on many factors, including your age, stage of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and how well you will tolerate chemotherapy. Talk with your provider if you have any questions about the benefits and risk for any of the treatment options.
              Can Matulane (procarbazine) be used with other anticancer medications for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, besides those in the MOPP regimen?
              Matulane (procarbazine) is only approved by the FDA to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma in combination with the MOPP regimen. But according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, it can be used off-label in Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a part of the BEACOPP regimen, which involves other chemotherapy medications. BEACOPP can cause more side effects, so it’s only used in people who are able to tolerate stronger, more aggressive, chemotherapy. The dose of procarbazine in BEACOPP is different compared with the dose that’s used in MOPP. Talk with your provider if you have any questions about other treatment options for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
              How long do I need to take Matulane (procarbazine) for?
              Please take Matulane (procarbazine) as instructed by your provider. Matulane (procarbazine) is usually taken for certain days during each chemotherapy cycle, so it’s important to follow the directions your provider gives you. The amount of time you need to take Matulane (procarbazine) depends on things like how well the medication is working to treat your cancer, what chemotherapy treatment regimen you're taking, and how well you tolerate the side effects. Don’t stop taking Matulane (procarbazine) without first discussing with your provider.
              Is Matulane (procarbazine) safe if I have liver or kidney problems?
              If you have liver or kidney problems, you’re at higher risk for side effects because your body might have a more difficult time breaking down Matulane (procarbazine). Let your provider know if you have problems with your liver or kidney, as you’ll need to be monitored more closely. You might need to be hospitalized during your first round of chemotherapy so your provider can give you medical care if needed. Seek medical help right away if you experience serious side effects due to higher levels of the medication in your body, such as confusion, seizures, tremors, or coma.
              Is Matulane (procarbazine) safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
              Matulane (procarbazine) isn’t recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It can cause harm to your unborn baby and shouldn’t be used in pregnancy unless your provider thinks the benefit is greater than the risk for both you and your unborn baby. It might also cause harm to nursing babies because there’s a risk that it can get passed along in breast milk. Let your provider know right away if you become pregnant while taking Matulane (procarbazine), or if you have any questions about pregnancy or breastfeeding while taking Matulane (procarbazine)
              GoodRxEducationalIcon

              How to save using GoodRx

              Compare Prices
              1. Compare PricesSpecify your dosage and quantity to find out exactly how much you can save.
              Select your free coupon
              2. Select your free couponYou can use the displayed coupon, or compare prices at other pharmacies near you.
              Show coupon to your pharmacist
              3. Show coupon to your pharmacistPresent your printed or electronic coupon when you pick up your prescription.
              Get free couponLearn more
              warings-icon

              What are the risks and warnings for Matulane (procarbazine)?

              Matulane (procarbazine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Must be given by a trained healthcare provider

              Matulane (procarbazine) must be give by or under the supervision of your healthcare provider who's trained in caring for people taking chemotherapy medications. You must receive treatment at a clinic, hospital, or care facility that can monitor you for side effects and give you medical care, if needed.

              risk-warning

              Nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves) problems

              • Risk factors: Taking Matulane (procarbazine) with other medications that can cause extreme sleepiness

                Taking Matulane (procarbazine) alone or with sedatives (e.g. barbiturates), opioids, antihistamines, certain antipsychotics, or medications that can lower your blood pressure, can cause extreme drowsiness, tiredness, difficulty breathing, and can even result in death. If you’re taking medications like these, have a discussion with your provider to make sure the combination is as safe as possible or if other medication options are available. If you have difficulty breathing or feel extremely drowsy, get medical help right away. Let your provider know if you suddenly get confused, have a tingling or “pins and needles” sensation in your body, or nerve pain, as you might need to stop taking Matulane (procarbazine).

                risk-warning

                Low blood cell counts

                • Risk factors: Previous radiation or chemotherapy agents that can cause low blood cell counts

                  Matulane (procarbazine) can cause your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets to drop, usually within the first 2 months of starting Matulane (procarbazine) treatment. When these cell counts are lower than normal, you can feel more tired, and also have a higher risk of bleeding, bruising, and developing infections. If you’ve previously been treated with radiation or chemotherapy that can also lower your blood cell counts, you should wait at least 1 month before starting Matulane (procarbazine) so that your cells have a chance to recover. Your provider will closely monitor your blood counts while you’re taking Matulane (procarbazine). Let your provider know right away if you experience fevers, chills, or bleeding and bruising that doesn’t stop or go away because you might need to stop this medication.

                  risk-warning

                  High blood pressure (from food and medication interactions)

                  • Risk factors: Foods containing high tyramine levels | Taking Matulane (procarbazine) with certain stimulant and mood medications

                    Certain foods and medications can cause your blood pressure to go up while you're taking Matulane (procarbazine). You should avoid caffeine and fermented or smoked foods like aged cheese, alcohol, soy sauce, fish sauce, pickles, and dried sausage.

                    Let your provider or pharmacist know what other medications you’re taking before starting Matulane (procarbazine) because you might not be able to take it with certain medications, such as amitriptyline, imipramine (Tofranil), or amphetamine salt combo (Adderall). Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions. If you experience any severe headaches, neck stiffness or soreness, nausea or vomiting, sweating, and vision issues while you are taking this medication, seek medical help right away as this raise in blood pressure can be deadly.

                    risk-warning

                    Effects on fertility

                    Matulane (procarbazine) can affect your ability to have a baby when used in combination with other chemotherapy agents. It can also cause birth defects during pregnancy. If you or your partner are thinking about having a child in the future, talk to your provider about your different options before starting Matulane (procarbazine), such as sperm banking or egg freezing.

                    risk-warning

                    Risk for developing other cancers

                    While rare, secondary cancers, such as lung cancer and blood cancers, have been reported in people with Hodgkin’s lymphoma who received treatment with Matulane (procarbazine) and other chemotherapy or radiation. It’s unknown whether taking Matulane (procarbazine) alone has the same risk. Your risk of developing lung cancer is higher if you also smoke. Talk to your provider if you are concerned about your risk for other cancers.

                    dosage

                    Matulane (procarbazine) dosage forms

                    Typical dosing for Matulane (procarbazine)

                    Your provider will calculate your dose of Matulane (procarbazine) using your body surface area (BSA), which takes into account your body weight and height.

                    Matulane (procarbazine) is typically given in combination with other anticancer medications as part of the MOPP regimen (in combination with a nitrogen mustard, vincristine, and prednisone).

                    • Hodgkin’s lymphoma (in MOPP regimen): The typical dose is 100 mg/m2 by mouth daily for 2 weeks per cycle. Each cycle of MOPP is 4 weeks long.

                    Please note: Matulane (procarbazine) might be used with other anticancer medications, besides the MOPP regimen. Please see FAQ for more details.

                    interactions

                    Interactions between Matulane (procarbazine) and other drugs

                    Matulane (procarbazine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Matulane (procarbazine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                    Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                    Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                    Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                    contraindications-icon

                    Matulane (procarbazine) contraindications

                    Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Matulane (procarbazine) will not be safe for you to take.

                    • Not having enough red blood cells and white blood cells in the bone marrow

                    Get savings updates for Matulane (procarbazine)

                    Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Matulane (procarbazine) and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.

                    By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.

                    Browse medications

                    View All

                    Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.