On 11/23/2008 tanis118 wrote:
I am a 29-yo male w/Stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma. I'm on my fourth regimen of chemo, not including a failed autologous bone-marrow transplant. The current regimen includes the drugs Matulane, Rituxan, Velbane, prednisone, and the problem: Leukeran, a/k/a procarbazine, an alkylating agent.
The issue is this: procarbazine functions as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, in addition to being an antineoplastic agent. MAOIs are contraindicated for narcotics, antidepressants, and certain sleeping pills. Procarbazine specifically interacts with 1,628 drugs (according to Drugs.com). My oncologist says that he's treated "hundreds of patients" with MAOI-type chemo's & there's never been a problem with narcotics. Does anyone out there have an opinion or any experience in this area?
I'm currently taking Oxycontin 10mg twice a day and Zoloft 5mg daily with no problems. Doctor hasn't even mentioned anything about it but I read somewhere that you aren't supposed to take narcotics with anti-depressants. But if your doctor gives you the okay then I recommend the opinion of the professional over the Internet. Good luck :)