Chlorpropamide Description

Generic Name: CHLORPROPAMIDE

Pronunciation: (klor proe' pa mide)

Trade Name(s): Chlorformin, Diabinese, Glucamide

Why it is prescribed: Chlorpropamide is used to treat type II, noninsulin-dependent diabetes particularly in people whose diabetes cannot be controlled by diet alone or who cannot tolerate insulin injections. Chlorpropamide helps to lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin and helping the body to use insulin efficiently. The pancreas must be capable of producing insulin for this medication to work. Chlorpropamide is not used to treat type I, insulin-dependent diabetes.

When it is to be taken: Chlorpropamide usually is taken once a day with breakfast. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.This medication must be taken regularly to be effective.

How it should be taken: Chlorpropamide comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Do not take more of the drug than your doctor has prescribed.

Special Instruction:
1. Your doctor will prescribe a diet that restricts calories and may result in weight loss.
2. Diet is extremely important in the treatment of diabetes, so follow your doctor's instructions.
3. Chlorpropamide is not a substitute for proper diet, and you should not be careless about the food you eat just because you take this drug.
4. It will work properly only if you follow your doctor's instructions containing diet and exercise.
5. Skipping or delaying meals or exercising much more that usual can cause your blood sugar to fall too low.
6. Maintaining a proper diet and exercising regularly will help you avoid this problem.
7. Ask your doctor for advice on how much alcohol is safe to drink. Alcoholic beverages can cause hypoglycemia, flushing, headache, or nausea. They also contain calories, which may make weight control difficult.

Side Effects:
1. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): headache, nausea, sweating, hunger, paleness, numb mouth, tremors, blurred or double vision, chills, muscle weakness, fatigue, irritability, mental confusion, uncontrolled yawning, shallow breathing, palpitations, fast heartbeat. Drink fruit juice or eat something containing sugar and contact your doctor.
2. If you feel fain, instruct someone to take you to your doctor or to a hospital right away.
3. Loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting; cramps; constipation; headache; tingling, prickling, burning, or tight sensation. Contact your doctor; your dose (or dosage schedule) may need to be changed.
4. Fever, sore throat, yellowing of the skin or eyes, skin rash, itching, dark urine, light-colored stools, diarrhea, unusual bleeding or bruising. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions:
1. Chlorpropamide may affect the way your body responds to other drugs.
2. Before you take it, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking.
3. Before taking chlorpropamide, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have liver, kidney, thyroid, adrenal, or pituitary disease.
4. If you become pregnant while taking chlorpropamide, contact your doctor at once.
5. Before having surgeries, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take chlorpropamide.
6. Chlorpropamide makes some people more sensitive to sunlight than they normally are.
7. Be careful about exposing yourself to sunlight or sunlamps.
8. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions: Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature.