Chlorpropamide

Chlorpropamide is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. It belongs to a group of medicines called sulfonylureas and helps control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This helps to prevent serious complications of diabetes like kidney damage and blindness. Chlorpropamide may be used by itself or along with other medicines. It should be taken with food. Take it regularly at the same time each day to get the most benefit. Your doctor will decide what dose is best for you and this may change from time to time according to how it is working. Keep taking this medicine, even if you feel well or your blood sugar levels are controlled. If you stop it without consulting your doctor, your blood sugar levels could rise and put you at risk of kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems and loss of limbs. Remember that it is only part of a treatment program that should also include a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight reduction as advised by your doctor. Your lifestyle plays a big part in controlling diabetes. The most common side effects of taking this medicine include nausea, headache, and dizziness. It can also sometimes cause low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia). Make sure you recognize the signs of having low blood glucose levels, such as sweating, dizziness, headache, and shaking and know how to deal with it. To prevent this, it's important to have regular meals and always carry a fast-acting source of glucose such as sugary food or fruit juice with you. Drinking alcohol can also increase your risk of low blood sugar levels and should be avoided. Some people may find that they put on weight with this medicine. You should not take it if you have type 1 diabetes mellitus, if you have diabetic ketoacidosis (high levels of acid in your blood), or if you have severe kidney or liver disease. Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have ever had heart disease, thyroid disease or some hormonal conditions. It may not be suitable. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before taking it. Your blood sugar levels should be checked regularly and your doctor may also advise blood tests to monitor your blood cell counts and liver function. Chlorpropamide is an antidiabetic medication. It works by increasing the amount of insulin released by the pancreas in order to lower blood glucose.

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Chlorpropamide stimulates the secretion of endogenous insulin from β-cells of the pancreas. It also exhibits antidiuretic activity by enhancing vasopressin in the renal tubules.

Adult Dose: Oral Type 2 diabetes mellitus Adult: Initially, 250 mg daily as a single dose in the morning. 5-7 days after treatment initiation, subsequent doses may be increased or decreased by 50-125 mg daily at intervals of 3-5 days until optimum therapeutic control is achieved. Maintenance: 100-500 mg daily. Elderly: Initial: 100-125 mg daily. 5-7 days after treatment initiation, subsequent doses may be increased or decreased by 50-125 mg daily at intervals of 3-5 days until optimum therapeutic control is achieved. Hepatic impairment: Severe: Contraindicated. Child Dose: Safety and efficacy not established Renal Dose: Renal Impairment CrCl 50 mL/minute: Monitor therapy closely; initial and maintenance dosing should be conservative to avoid hypoglycemia

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Chlorpropamide is to be taken with food.

You should skip a dose of Chlorpropamide if a meal is skipped, and add a dose of medicine if you eat an extra meal.

Common: • Vomiting • Headache • Dizziness • Nausea • Diarrhea • Loss of appetite • Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level)

[SAFE] Chlorpropamide does not usually affect your ability to drive. Take it shortly before or with the first main meal of the day (usually breakfast). Avoid skipping meals. Be careful while driving or operating machinery until you know how Chlorpropamide affects you. It can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) when used with other antidiabetic medicines, alcohol or if you delay or miss a meal. Always carry some sugary food or fruit juice with you in case you experience hypoglycemic symptoms such as cold sweats, cool pale skin, tremor and anxiety. Your doctor may check your liver function regularly. Inform your doctor if you develop symptoms, such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice).

Type 1 DM, diabetic ketoacidosis (w/ or w/o coma) or other acute complications (e.g. major surgery, severe infection or severe trauma), thyroid impairment. Severe hepatic and renal impairment.

Diminished therapeutic effect w/ thiazide diuretics. Protein-bound drugs (e.g. oral anticoagulants, hydantoins, salicylates, other NSAIDs, sulfonamides) may potentiate hypoglycaemic action of chlorpropamide. Increased plasma concentrations w/ certain antifungals (e.g. miconazole, fluconazole).

[UNSAFE] Consuming alcohol while taking Chlorpropamide may cause symptoms such as flushing, increased heart beat, nausea, thirst, chest pain and low blood pressure (Disulfiram reaction).

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Chlorpropamide may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Chlorpropamide is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby. Monitor the breastfed baby’s blood sugar during treatment with Chlorpropamide

[CAUTION] Chlorpropamide should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Chlorpropamide may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Use of Chlorpropamide is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease. [CAUTION] Chlorpropamide should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Chlorpropamide may be needed. Please consult your doctor.