Chlorpropamide

Generic name: Chlorpropamide [ klor-PROE-pa-mide ]
Drug class: Sulfonylureas

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 17, 2022.

Uses of Chlorpropamide:

It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).
It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Chlorpropamide?

If you have an allergy to chlorpropamide or any other part of chlorpropamide.
If you are allergic to chlorpropamide; any part of chlorpropamide; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you have any of these health problems: Acidic blood problem or type 1 diabetes.
If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take chlorpropamide.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with chlorpropamide.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take chlorpropamide with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Chlorpropamide?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take chlorpropamide. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how chlorpropamide affects you.
Do not drive if your blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of you having a crash.
Wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
Be careful if you have G6PD deficiency. Anemia may happen.
Low blood sugar may happen with chlorpropamide. Very low blood sugar can lead to seizures, passing out, long lasting brain damage, and sometimes death. Talk with the doctor.
Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect blood sugar.
Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.
This medicine may raise the chance of death from heart disease. Talk with your doctor.
If you are 65 or older, use chlorpropamide with care. You could have more side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using chlorpropamide while you are pregnant.

How is this medicine (Chlorpropamide) best taken?

Use chlorpropamide as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Take chlorpropamide at the same time of day.
Take with the first meal of the day, if taking once a day.
Keep taking chlorpropamide as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Be sure you know what to do if you do not eat as much as normal or if you skip a meal.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it, with a meal.
If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
Feeling very tired or weak.
Fever or chills.
Very bad sore throat.
Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when chlorpropamide is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

What are some other side effects of Chlorpropamide?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Dizziness.
Headache.
Upset stomach.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Chlorpropamide?

Store at room temperature.
Protect from light.
Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about chlorpropamide, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.