Matulane

Matulane is used along with other cancer medicines to treat Hodgkin's Disease (a type of blood cancer).

Matulane may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

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

Matulane 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.

Matulane can raise your risk of bleeding or infection. Contact your doctor if you notice unusual bruising or bleeding, or if you have new signs of infection (fever, chills, mouth sores, pale skin).

You should not take Matulane 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.

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

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

You should not breastfeed while you are taking Matulane.

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

Matulane 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 Matulane 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.

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

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 Matulane. 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), 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 Matulane 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 Matulane.

Using Matulane with other drugs that cause drowsiness can make this effect worse. 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 Matulane, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.