Chlorpropamide is in a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is used to help control blood sugar
levels.
Chlorpropamide is used to treat type 2 diabetes along with diet, exercise, and insulin therapy, if
necessary.
Chlorpropamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpropamide?
Before taking chlorpropamide, tell your doctor if you
have kidney disease;
have liver disease;
have thyroid disease;
have type 1 diabetes;
have a serious infection, illness, or injury; or
need surgery.
You may not be able to take chlorpropamide, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Patients 65 years of age and older may have a stronger reaction to chlorpropamide and may
require a reduced dose.
Chlorpropamide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known
whether chlorpropamide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Insulin is usually the drug of choice for
controlling diabetes during pregnancy. Do not take chlorpropamide without first talking to your doctor if
you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Chlorpropamide passes into breast milk and may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in
a nursing infant. Do not take chlorpropamide without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take chlorpropamide?
Take chlorpropamide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Chlorpropamide is usually taken before breakfast or the first main meal if it is taken once a day,
or before meals if it is taken multiple times each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not change your dose of chlorpropamide without first talking to your doctor.
It is important to take chlorpropamide regularly to get the most benefit.
Your healthcare provider may recommend regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with blood
or urine tests.
Store chlorpropamide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of chlorpropamide?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose,
skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not
take a
double dose of this medication.
Where can I get more information about chlorpropamide?
Your pharmacist has information about chlorpropamide written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of chlorpropamide?
Stop taking chlorpropamide and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Other, less serious side effects from chlorpropamide result mostly from blood sugar levels that
are either too high or too low. You should be familiar with the symptoms of both high and low blood
sugar levels and know how to treat both conditions. Also, be sure your family and close friends know
how to help you in an emergency situation.
Low blood sugar may occur when too much chlorpropamide is taken; when meals are missed
or delayed; if you exercise more than usual; during illness, especially with vomiting or diarrhea; if you
take other medications; after drinking alcohol; and in other situations.
Hypoglycemia or Low blood sugar
has the following symptoms:
shaking;
headache;
cold sweats;
pale, cool skin;
anxiety; and
difficulty concentrating.
Keep hard, sugary candy; chocolate; fruit juice; or glucose tablets on hand
to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
Increased blood sugar may occur when not enough chlorpropamide is taken; if you eat
significantly more food than usual; if you exercise less than usual; if you take other medications; during
fever or other illness; and in other situations.
Hyperglycemia or High blood sugar
has the following symptoms:
increased thirst,
increased hunger, and
increased urination.
There may be an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular (heart and
blood vessels) complications with the use of chlorpropamide when compared to the treatment of
diabetes with diet or diet plus insulin. The long-term use of chlorpropamide should be discussed with
your doctor.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side
effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about chlorpropamide?
Treatment with chlorpropamide may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease
compared to treatment of diabetes with diet alone or diet plus insulin. Discuss with your doctor the risks
and benefits of treatment with chlorpropamide.
Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include headache,
drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of hard
candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar.
Follow diet, medication, and exercise routines closely. Changing any of them can affect your
blood sugar levels.
Do not change your dose of chlorpropamide without first talking to your doctor.
Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
What should I avoid while taking chlorpropamide?
Follow diet, medication, and exercise routines closely. Changing any of these things can effect
your blood sugar levels.
Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment.
Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before you undergo any surgery.
Do not take any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal cough, cold, allergy, pain, or
weight loss medications without first talking to your doctor.
What other drugs will affect chlorpropamide?
Many other medicines may increase or decrease the effects of chlorpropamide or affect your
condition. Before taking chlorpropamide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following
medicines:
aspirin or another salicylate such as magnesium/choline salicylate
(Trilisate), salsalate (Disalcid, others), choline salicylate (Arthropan), magnesium salicylate
(Magan), or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol);
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac
(Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen),
oxaprozin (Daypro), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), and others;
a sulfa-based drug such as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
(Bactrim, Septra), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil);
a beta-blocker such as propranolol (Inderal), atenolol
(Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), and others;
a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ,
Hydrodiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril), and others;
a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone,
others), methylprednisolone (Medrol, others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others), and
others;
a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine),
fluphenazine (Prolixin, Permitil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan), and
others;
phenytoin (Dilantin);
isoniazid (Nydrazid); or
prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal cough, cold,
allergy, or weight loss medications.
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking
any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with chlorpropamide or affect your
condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including herbal products.
What happens if I have an overdose of chlorpropamide?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009