Chlorpropamide is sometimes combined with other drugs to treat type 2 diabetes, in addition to diet and exercise (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Chlorpropamide belongs to the group of drugs known as sulfonylureas. Chlorpropamide decreases blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to create insulin, which the body needs to break down sugar. It also facilitates the body’s effective utilisation of insulin. This drug only lowers blood sugar in those whose bodies naturally manufacture insulin. Chlorpropamide is not used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis or type 1 diabetes, a condition in which the body does not create insulin and cannot regulate the quantity of sugar in the blood (a serious condition that may occur if high blood sugar is not treated).

Those with diabetes and high blood sugar over time may experience serious or fatal complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney issues, nerve damage, and vision issues. It may be possible to control your diabetes and enhance your health by taking medication(s), making lifestyle changes (such as diet, exercise, and quitting smoking), and monitoring your blood sugar frequently. This treatment may also lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage (resulting in numb, cold legs or feet and diminished sex capacity in both men and women), eye issues, such as changes in eyesight or blindness, or gum disease, which are all symptoms of diabetes. The optimal strategy to manage your diabetes will be discussed with you by your doctor and other healthcare professionals.

Chlorpropamide is available as an oral tablet. Once a day, it is often taken with breakfast. If chlorpropamide makes your stomach feel queasy, tell your doctor. Chlorpropamide may be administered in lesser dosages twice daily with meals at the advice of your physician. Use chlorpropamide at roughly the same time(s) every day to help you remember to take it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Just as prescribed, take chlorpropamide. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Most likely, your doctor will start you on a low dose of chlorpropamide and gradually raise it as necessary. Chlorpropamide may not regulate your blood sugar as well as it did at the beginning of your treatment after you have been taking it for a while. In order for the drug to function best for you, your doctor may change the dose as necessary. Tell your doctor how you’re doing and if at any point during therapy your blood sugar readings have been higher or lower than usual.

Although it does not treat diabetes, chlorpropamide aids in blood sugar regulation. Even if you feel well, keep taking chlorpropamide. Stop taking chlorpropamide only after consulting your doctor.

You should speak with your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you want to take this drug for a different purpose.

Before taking chlorpropamide,

• If you have an allergy to chlorpropamide, any other drugs, or any of the substances in chlorpropamide, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are currently taking or intend to use. Be sure to include anticoagulants (also known as “blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, and other NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and secobarbital (Seconal); barbiturates like amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), and phenobarbital; Beta blockers such atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and propranolol (Inderal); calcium channel blockers like amlodipine (Norvasc), Chloramphenicol; diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, among other drugs); felodipine (Plendil); isradipine (DynaCirc); nicardipine (Cardene); nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia); nimodipine (Nimotop); nisoldipine (Sular); and verapamil ((Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); hormone replacement therapy, hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, and injections), diuretics (often known as “water pills”), fluconazole (Diflucan), insulin, or other drugs to manage diabetes or high blood sugar; isoniazid (INH); MAO inhibitors like isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); drugs for colds and asthma; drugs for mental illness; and drugs for nausea; the oral steroids dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); niacin; miconazole (Monistat); phenytoin (Dilantin); probenecid (Benemid); salicylate analgesics like argesic, disalcid, and salgesic; choline magnesium trisalicylate; choline salicylate (Arthropan); diflunisal (Dolobid); and magnesium salicylate (Doan’s, others); thyroid medicines, sulfa antibiotics including co-trimoxazole (Bactrim, Septra), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), and others. If you use chlorpropamide, be careful to let your doctor or pharmacist know if you stop taking any other medications. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had G6PD deficiency (a hereditary condition that results in hemolytic anaemia or premature rbc destruction), if you have adrenal, pituitary, or thyroid gland hormone abnormalities, or if you have heart, kidney, or liver disease.
• Inform your physician if you are nursing a baby, intend to get pregnant, or are already pregnant. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking chlorpropamide.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of taking chlorpropamide with your doctor. Generally speaking, chlorpropamide should not be taken by older adults because it is less reliable and less efficient than alternative drugs that can be used to treat the same issue.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking chlorpropamide if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• Inquire with your doctor about whether drinking alcohol is safe for you to do while taking this medicine. The negative effects of chlorpropamide can be made worse by alcohol. Drinking alcohol while taking chlorpropamide may also result in symptoms like flushing (reddening of the face), headache, nausea, vomiting, chest discomfort, weakness, blurred vision, mental confusion, sweating, choking, breathing difficulties, and anxiety.
• Consider using sunscreen, protective clothes, and sunglasses as well as avoiding excessive or prolonged sun exposure. Your skin could become sun sensitive if you use chlorpropamide.
• If you become ill, experience an illness or fever, unusual stress, or are hurt, find out from your doctor what to do. Your blood sugar levels and potential chlorpropamide requirements may be impacted by these diseases.

Make sure to adhere to all nutritional and exercise advice provided by your doctor or nutritionist. A nutritious diet, frequent exercise, and weight loss if necessary are all crucial.

Before you begin taking chlorpropamide, discuss with your doctor what to do in the event that you miss a dosage. So that you can remember them later, note down these instructions.

Take the missed dose right away, as a general rule. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next one and carry on with your normal dosing regimen. If you miss a dose, don’t take a second one to make up for it.

Your blood sugar levels could be affected by this medicine. The signs of low and high blood sugar, as well as what to do if you experience these signs, should be known to you.

Symptoms of chlorpropamide usage may develop. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Reduced appetite
• Hunger
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Itching

Some adverse effects may be severe. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these signs:

• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint
• Stools with a light colour
• Dark faeces
• Stomach ache in the top right corner
• Significant bruising or bleeding
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Unwell throat
• Rash

There could be other negative effects from chlorpropamide. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

In one trial, patients with diabetes who took a drug related to chlorpropamide had a higher risk of dying from cardiac problems than those who received insulin and dietary adjustments as treatment. Discuss the dangers of using chlorpropamide with your doctor.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

In addition to hypoglycemic symptoms, overdose symptoms may also include the following:

• Seizures
• Consciousness is lost

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. You should routinely check your blood sugar levels and HbA1c to see how you are reacting to chlorpropamide. To monitor your reaction to chlorpropamide, your doctor might request additional lab tests. Your doctor will also instruct you on how to measure your blood sugar levels at home in order to monitor your reaction to this medicine. Pay close attention to these directions.

Wearing a diabetes identity bracelet will ensure that you receive the right care in an emergency.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.