• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
CHLORPROPAMIDE (klor PROE pa mide) helps to treat type 2 diabetes. Treatment is combined with diet and exercise. This drug helps your body to use insulin better.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

Back to Top

What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

Back to Top

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• dark urine
• fever, chills, sore throat
• low blood sugar (ask your doctor or healthcare professional for a list of symptoms associated with low blood sugar)
• unusual bleeding, bruising
• yellowing of the eyes, skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• headache
• heartburn
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach discomfort

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Back to Top

How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth. Swallow with a drink of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. If you take this medicine once a day, take it with breakfast. Take your medicine at the same time each day. Do not take more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

Back to Top

What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Back to Top

What may interact with this medicine?

• bosentan
• chloramphenicol
• cisapride
• clarithromycin
• medicines for fungal or yeast infections
• metoclopramide
• probenecid
• warfarin

Many medications may cause an increase or decrease in blood sugar, these include:

• alcohol containing beverages
• aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
• chloramphenicol
• chromium
• female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills
• heart medicines
• isoniazid
• male hormones or anabolic steroids
• medicines for weight loss
• medicines for allergies, asthma, cold, or cough
• medicines for mental problems
• medicines called MAO Inhibitors like Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, Eldepryl
• niacin
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• pentamidine
• phenytoin
• probenecid
• quinolone antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin
• some herbal dietary supplements
• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
• thyroid medicine
• water pills or diuretics

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

Back to Top

Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to chlorpropamide or any ingredient in formulation.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis with or without coma.
• Monotherapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Back to Top

What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Learn how to check your blood sugar. Tell your doctor or health care professional if your blood sugar is high, you might need to change the dose of your medicine. If you are sick or exercising more than usual, you might need to change the dose of your medicine. Do not skip meals. Ask your doctor or health care professional if you should avoid alcohol. If you have symptoms of low blood sugar, eat or drink something containing sugar at once and contact your doctor or health care professional. Make sure family members know that you can choke if you eat or drink when you develop serious symptoms of low blood sugar, like seizures or unconsciousness. They must get medical help at once.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

Wear a medical identification bracelet or chain to say you have diabetes, and carry a card that lists all your medications.

Back to Top

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetic ketoacidosis
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
• heart disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• porphyria
• severe infection or injury
• thyroid disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to chlorpropamide, sulfonamides, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

Back to Top

Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

Back to Top

I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

Back to Top

Where can I get more information?
More Information

Back to Top