Natulan

procarbazine

Matulane

Natulan

Indications

Action

Pharmacokinetics

Time/action profile (effects on blood counts)

Contraindications/Precautions

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Central nervous system

• seizures (life-threatening)
• confusion (most frequent)
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• hallucinations
• headache
• mania
• mental depression
• nightmares
• psychosis
• syncope
• tremor

Ear, Eye, Nose, Throat

• nystagmus
• photophobia
• retinal hemorrhage

Respiratory

• cough (most frequent)
• pleural effusions (most frequent)

Cardiovascular

• edema (most frequent)
• hypotension
• tachycardia

Gastrointestinal

• nausea (most frequent)
• vomiting (most frequent)
• anorexia
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• dysphagia
• hepatic dysfunction
• stomatitis

Genitourinary

• gonadal suppression

Dermatologic

• alopecia
• photosensitivity
• pruritus
• rashes

Endocrinologic

• gynecomastia

Hematologic

• anemia
• leukopenia
• thrombocytopenia

Neurologic

• neuropathy
• paresthesia

Miscellaneous

• ascites
• secondary malignancy

Interactions

Drug-Drug interaction

Route/Dosage

Availability

Nursing implications

Nursing assessment

• Monitor BP, pulse, and respiratory rate periodically during therapy. Report significant changes to health care professional.
• Assess nutritional status (appetite, intake and output ratios, weight, frequency and amount of emesis). Anorexia and weight loss can be decreased by feeding light, frequent meals. Nausea and vomiting can be minimized by administering an antiemetic at least 1 hr prior to receiving medication. Phenothiazine antiemetics should be avoided.
• Monitor for bone marrow depression. Assess for bleeding (bleeding gums, bruising, petechiae, guaiac stools, urine, and emesis) and avoid IM injections and taking rectal temperatures if platelet count is low. Apply pressure to venipuncture sites for 10 min. Assess for signs of infection during neutropenia. Anemia may occur. Monitor for increased fatigue, dyspnea, and orthostatic hypotension.
• Concurrent ingestion of tyramine-rich foods and many medications may result in life-threatening hypertensive crisis. Signs and symptoms of hypertensive crisis include chest pain, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, photosensitivity, and enlarged pupils. Treatment includes IV phentolamine.
• Procarbazine should be discontinued until side effects clear and then resumed at a lower dose if leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypersensitivity reaction, stomatitis (first small ulceration or persistent soreness), diarrhea, hemorrhage, or bleeding tendencies occur.
• Lab Test Considerations: Monitor hemoglobin, hematocrit, WBC, differential, reticulocytes, and platelet count prior to and every 3–4 days during therapy. Notify physician if WBC <4000/mm³ or platelet count <100,000/mm³. Therapy should be discontinued and resumed at a lower dose when counts improve. The nadir of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia occurs in approximately 2–8 wk, and recovery usually occurs in about 6 wk. Anemia also may occur.
  • Assess hepatic and renal function prior to therapy. Monitor urinalysis, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, and BUN at least weekly during therapy.
  • Closely monitor serum glucose in diabetic patients. Oral hypoglycemics or insulin dosage may need to be reduced, because hypoglycemic effects are enhanced.
  • Bone marrow aspiration studies are recommended prior to initiation of therapy and at time of maximum hematologic response to ensure adequate bone marrow reserve.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

Implementation

• Oral: Administer with food or fluids if GI irritation occurs. Confer with pharmacist regarding opening of capsules if patient has difficulty swallowing.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Emphasize the need to take medication as directed. Take missed doses as soon as remembered within a few hours but not if several hours have passed or if almost time for next dose. Health care professional should be consulted if vomiting occurs shortly after a dose is taken.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional promptly if signs of infection (fever, sore throat, chills, cough, thickened bronchial secretions, hoarseness, pain in lower back or side, difficult or painful urination); bleeding gums; bruising; petechiae; or blood in stool, urine, or emesis occurs. Caution patient to avoid crowds and persons with known infections. Instruct patient to use soft toothbrush and electric razor and to avoid falls. Patient should not receive IM injections or rectal temperatures. Caution patient not to drink alcoholic beverages or take medication containing aspirin or NSAIDs; may precipitate gastric bleeding.
• Caution patient to avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages, CNS depressants, OTC drugs, and foods or beverages containing tyramine (see for foods included) during therapy and for at least 2 wk after therapy has been discontinued, because they may precipitate a hypertensive crisis.
• Advise patient that an additional interaction of alcohol with procarbazine is a disulfiram-like reaction (flushing, nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal cramps).
• Instruct patient to inspect oral mucosa for erythema and ulceration. If ulceration occurs, advise patient to notify health care professional and to use sponge brush and rinse mouth with water after eating and drinking. Topical agents may be used if mouth pain interferes with eating. Stomatitis pain may require treatment with opioid analgesics.
• May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Caution patient to avoid driving or other activities that require alertness until response to medication is known.
• Advise patient that this medication may have teratogenic effects. Contraception should be practiced during therapy and for at least 4 mo after therapy is concluded.
• Discuss the possibility of hair loss with patient. Explore methods of coping.
• Caution patient to use sunscreen and protective clothing to prevent photosensitivity reactions.
• Instruct patient not to receive any vaccinations without advice of health care professional.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional of medication regimen prior to treatment or surgery. This therapy usually should be withdrawn at least 2 wk prior to surgery.
• Instruct patient to inform health care professional if muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting, sweating, tiredness, weakness, constipation, headache, difficulty swallowing, or loss of appetite becomes pronounced.
• Advise patient to carry identification describing medication regimen at all times.
• Emphasize the need for periodic lab tests to monitor for side effects.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Decrease in size and spread of malignant tissue in Hodgkin’s disease.