In combination chemotherapeutic regimens:
Procarbazine is usually administered concomitantly with other appropriate cytostatic drugs in repeated four- to six-weekly cycles. In most such combination chemotherapy regimens currently in use (eg. the so-called MOPP schedule with mustine, Vincristine and Prednisone) Procarbazine is given daily on the first 10 - 14 days of each cycle in a dosage of 100mg per sq. metre of body surface (to nearest 50mg).
As sole therapeutic agent: Adults:
Treatment should begin with small doses which are increased gradually up to a maximum daily dose of 250 or 300mg divided as evenly as possible throughout the day.
Initial dosage scheme
1st day: | 50mg | 4th day: | 200mg |
2nd day: | 100mg | 5th day: | 250mg |
3rd day: | 150mg | 6th day et seq: | 250-300mg |
Further procedure:
Treatment should be continued with 250 or 300mg daily until the greatest possible remission has been obtained, after which a maintenance dose is given.
Maintenance dose:
50 -150mg daily. Treatment should be continued until a total dose of at least 6g has been given. Otherwise, a negative result is not significant.
Elderly:
Procarbazine should be used with caution in the elderly. Patients in this group should be observed very closely for signs of early failure or intolerance of treatment.
Children:
The pro m2 dose used in most published trials was analogous to the dose used in adults (100 mg/ m2 for up to 14 days).
The dose should be adjusted according to:
• The chemotherapy protocol used
• The functional state of the bone marrow
• Previous chemo- and radiotherapy cycles
• The myelosuppressive effect of other cytostatics used
The treatment and the maintenance doses of Procarbazine should be determined only by a physician experienced in the use of potent antineoplastic drugs in children.
Procarbazine capsules are for oral administration.