Chlorpropamide

Chlorpropamide is a prescription medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. 

• Chlorpropamide is available under various brand names: Diabinese

Common side effects of Chlorpropamide include:

• nausea,
• low blood sugar
• loss of appetite,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• weight gain,
• mild hunger,
• skin rash,
• redness, or
• itching.

Serious side effects of Chlorpropamide include:

• skin changes (such as darkening, and thickening),
• unusual fatigue,
• fast or pounding heartbeat,
• easy bruising or bleeding,
• mental/mood changes,
• sudden weight gain,
• swelling of the hands or feet,
• muscle weakness or spasm,
• painful bowel movements,
• bloody or black stools,
• yellowing eyes or skin,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• dark urine,
• signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), or
• seizures.

Rare side effects of Chlorpropamide include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Tablet

• 100 mg
• 250 mg

Type 2 Diabetes

Adult dosage

Administer 30 minutes before a meal to improve absorption

• Middle-aged stable diabetic
  • 250 mg/day orally initially; may increase or decrease as needed by 50-125 mg/day at 3- to 5-day intervals
• Older patients
  • 100-125 mg/day orally initially; may increase or decrease as needed by 50-125 mg/day at 3- to 5-day intervals
• Maintenance dose
  • 100-250 mg/day; a higher dose of 500 mg/day may be required in severe diabetes; should avoid doses above 750 mg/day

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Chlorpropamide has severe interactions with the following drug:
  • dronabinol
• Chlorpropamide has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • aminolevulinic acid oral
  • aminolevulinic acid topical
  • ethanol
  • inotuzumab
  • ivosidenib
  • lumacaftor/ivacaftor
  • methyl aminolevulinate
  • ribociclib
• Chlorpropamide has moderate interactions with at least 155 other drugs.
• Chlorpropamide has minor interactions with at least 126 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Type I diabetes
• Diabetes ketoacidosis
• Hypersensitivity, sulfa allergy
• Severe renal impairment

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Chlorpropamide?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Chlorpropamide?”

Cautions

• Half-life prolonged in renal failure
• Efficacy may decrease with prolonged use
• Patients with a risk of severe hypoglycemia, especially elderly, debilitated, or malnourished patients, patients with risk factors for cardiovascular events, severe liver impairment

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • Excretion in milk unknown/not recommended