Chlorpropamide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 28, 2025.

Applies to chlorpropamide: oral tablet.

Common side effects of chlorpropamide

Some side effects of chlorpropamide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• indigestion
• passing of gas

Less common side effects

• hives or welts
• redness of the skin
• weight loss

Rare side effects

• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• cracks in the skin
• loss of heat from the body
• red, irritated eyes
• red, swollen skin
• scaly skin

Incidence not known

• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• severe sunburn

Serious side effects of chlorpropamide

Along with its needed effects, chlorpropamide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking chlorpropamide:

Rare side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain
• agitation
• black, tarry stools
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• coma
• confusion
• continuing diarrhea
• continuing stomach pain
• convulsions
• dark urine
• decreased urine output
• depression
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• fever
• headache
• hostility
• increased thirst
• irritability
• itching
• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• muscle pain or cramps
• muscle twitching
• nausea or vomiting
• rapid weight gain
• rash
• seizures
• shortness of breath
• stupor
• swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known

• anxiety
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• bleeding gums
• blood in the urine or stools
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• cold sweats
• cool, pale skin
• cough or hoarseness
• depression
• difficulty with breathing
• fever with or without chills
• fluid-filled skin blisters
• general body swelling
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• headache
• high fever
• increased hunger
• lower back or side pain
• nervousness
• nightmares
• nosebleeds
• painful or difficult urination
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• sensitivity to the sun
• shakiness
• skin thinness
• slurred speech
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swollen or painful glands
• tightness in the chest
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• wheezing

For healthcare professionals

Applies to chlorpropamide: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse reactions have included gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, and hunger.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Disulfiram-like reactions
• Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia

Sulfonylureas:

• Frequency not reported: Hepatic porphyria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, hunger
• Frequency not reported: Proctocolitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, allergic skin reactions (pruritus, erythema, urticaria, and morbilliform or maculopapular eruptions)

Sulfonylureas:

• Frequency not reported: Photosensitivity, porphyria cutanea tarda^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Allergic skin reactions

Hepatic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Cholestatic jaundice, hepatitis
• Frequency not reported: Hepatic porphyria^[Ref]

Hematologic

Sulfonylureas:

• Frequency not reported: Leukopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, eosinophilia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Sulfonylureas:

• Frequency not reported: Increased cardiovascular mortality^[Ref]

In the University Group Diabetes Program (UGDP) study, cardiovascular mortality rate was approximately 2.5 times higher in patients treated for 5 to 8 years with diet plus tolbutamide 1.5 g per day compared with that of patients treated with diet alone. The UGDP study was a long-term prospective clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of glucose lowering drugs in preventing or delaying vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=823). Tolbutamide was stopped based on the increase in cardiovascular mortality; a significant increase in total mortality was not observed, but stopping the drug may have limited the ability to measure that. In view of the close similarities in mode of action and chemical structure among sulfonylureas, these results may apply to other drug in this class.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, headache^[Ref]

Further information

Chlorpropamide side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer