The product contains Procarbazine HCl which tends to be a potent anti neoplastic drug inhibiting the spread of the cancer in the body. Procarbazine belongs to alkylating group which prevents the spread of the cancer by cross linking guanine bases in the DNA helix strands rendering them inseparable. This step being necessary for the replication, fails to occur leading to termination of the cell division. In addition the drug also adds methyl as well as alkyl groups to the strand where they normally do not belong, leading to construction of a disrupted strand and miscoding of DNA.

The drug has been implicated in the treatment of cancer. Mainly used as an adjuvant therapy, the drug prevents the spread of neoplastic tissue prolonging the survival rate of the patient. It has been proved quite efficacious in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma and other lymphomas like lymphosarcoma- reticulosarcoma- Brill-Symmers disease. Matulane has also proved quite effective in treating the cases which do not respond to other medications.

The major adverse effects of the drug is bone marrow suppression leading to decreased white blood cell and platelet count thereby increasing the chances of bleeding and infection. Other side effects include nausea, vomiting, loss of hair, loss of appetite and reversible infertility. Uncommon side effects like headache, nerve damage, anaemia, hematuria, lung infiltration and urinary frequency has also been encountered in the use of the drug.

Matulane is contraindicated in patients suffering from known hypersensitivity to the drug. It is also contraindicated in patients with inadequate marrow reserve. Pregnant and lactating mother should consult the doctor before the use of the drug.

The product should be stored at a room temperature ranging from 15 to 30 degree Celsius. It should be kept in a cool and dark place away from direct heat and sunlight. It should be kept away from reach of children.

The drug is delivered as a capsule and each capsule contains Procarbazine hydrochloride 50 mg. Apart from the active ingredients, there are many excipients required for binding the drug particles inside the capsule.

The use of the drug should be followed by careful monitoring of the white blood cell and platelet level. Any fluctuation in the level should be accompanied by termination of the drug. It should be cautiously used in sensitive individuals as it may cause severe allergic reactions in the same. Patients suffering from anemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia should be carefully monitored during the use of the drug.

The product is for oral administration. The dosage includes an initial dose of 50 mg which is gradually increased to 250 - 300 mg/day. The dose is maintained until maximum possible remission is obtained. The platelet and the white cell count should be constantly monitored during the use of the drug. Treatment should not be continued if there is a drop in the level of platelets below 80,000/mm3 or white blood cell drop below 3,000/mm3. The drug can be resumed when these levels are normalized. The maintenance therapy includes 50 to 150mg/day daily until a cumulative dose of at least 6gm.