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 chemist 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.

If chlorpropamide is prescribed for you, your doctor will likely start you out on a low dose and then gradually raise it as needed. Chlorpropamide may not manage your blood sugar as well as it did when you first started taking it after using it for a while. To ensure that your medication is working for you, your doctor may change the dose as needed. Tell your doctor about how you’re feeling and any times during your therapy when your blood sugar test results were higher or lower than usual.

While not a cure for diabetes, chlorpropamide aids in blood sugar management. Chlorpropamide should still be used even if you feel OK. Without consulting your doctor, do not stop taking chlorpropamide.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you’re interested in using this medication for any other conditions.

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 ingredients from your chemist.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Make careful to specify “blood thinners” (anticoagulants) such warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin, other NSAIDs including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); barbiturates such amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), phenobarbital, and secobarbital (Seconal); metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal) are examples of beta blockers; calcium channel blockers such amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, among others), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular); chloramphenicol, diuretics (‘water pills’), fluconazole (Diflucan), hormone replacement treatment, hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, and injections), insulin or other drugs to treat high blood sugar or diabetes, isoniazid (INH);      pharmaceuticals for asthma and colds; drugs for mental illness and nausea; MAO inhibitors including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); the oral steroids dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); niacin; miconazole (Monistat); phenytoin (Dilantin); probenecid (Benemid); sulfa antibiotics such co-trimoxazole (Bactrim, Septra); salicylate pain relievers like choline magnesium trisalicylate, choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan’s, others), and salsalate (Argesic, Disalcid, and Salgesic); azifidine, sulfasalazine, and thyroid medicines. If you use chlorpropamide, be careful to let your doctor or chemist 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 if drinking alcohol is okay for you to do while taking this medicine. The negative effects of chlorpropamide can be exacerbated by alcohol. Chlorpropamide side effects include flushing (reddening of the face), headache, nausea, vomiting, chest discomfort, weakness, blurred vision, mental confusion, sweating, coughing, difficulty breathing, and anxiety. Drinking alcohol while taking chlorpropamide may potentially exacerbate these side effects.
• Have a plan to limit your time spent in the sun and to use sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothes. Your skin could become photosensitive after using chlorpropamide.
• See your doctor for advice if you become ill, suffer extraordinary stress, acquire an infection or fever, or if you sustain an injury. Your blood sugar level and potential dosage of chlorpropamide may be impacted by these circumstances.

Make sure to abide by all dietary and exercise advice given to you by your physician or nutritionist. It’s crucial to maintain a nutritious diet, exercise frequently, and, if required, reduce weight.

Ask your doctor what to do if you forget to take a dose of chlorpropamide before you start taking it. To remember these instructions later, write them down.

Take the missing dose as soon as you remember it, as a general rule. Skip the missed dose if the next one is almost due, and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Your blood sugar levels may alter as a result of this drug. You should be aware of the signs of low and high blood sugar as well as what to do if you experience these signs.

Symptoms of chlorpropamide use 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

Further negative effects of chlorpropamide are possible. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right once.

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 chemist or the garbage/recycling agency 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 prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

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.