Procarbazine

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Procarbazine

Procarbazine (pronounced proh-KAR-buh-zeen) is a type of chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to a class of drugs known as alkylating agents, which work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells and preventing them from dividing and growing.

Etymology

The term "Procarbazine" is derived from its chemical name, N-isopropyl-α-(2-methylhydrazino)-p-toluamide hydrochloride. The prefix "pro-" is derived from the Latin word "pro", meaning "before" or "for", indicating that the drug is a precursor to the active compound. The suffix "-azine" is a common ending for drugs that contain a nitrogen (N) atom in their chemical structure.

Usage

Procarbazine is used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to treat certain types of Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. It may also be used to treat brain tumors and other types of cancer. The drug is usually taken orally in capsule form.

Side Effects

Like all chemotherapy drugs, Procarbazine can cause side effects. These may include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include anemia, increased risk of infection due to low white blood cell count (neutropenia), and unusual bleeding or bruising due to low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).

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