$Unique_ID{BRK03083} $Pretitle{} $Title{chlorpropamide} $Subject{Diabinese Pfizer Oral antidiabetic chlorpropamid diabetes mellitus adulthood non-insulin-dependent maturity-onset Type II insulin pancreas} $Volume{} $Log{ Diabinese*0308301.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. chlorpropamide ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) chlorpropamide (various manufacturers) Diabinese (Pfizer) TYPE OF DRUG Oral antidiabetic INGREDIENT chlorpropamide DOSAGE FORM Tablets (100 mg and 250 mg) STORAGE Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container. USES Chlorpropamide is used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus that appears in adulthood and cannot be managed by control of diet alone. This type of diabetes is known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes (sometimes called maturity-onset or Type II diabetes). Chlorpropamide lowers blood sugar by increasing the release of insulin from the pancreas. TREATMENT In order for this medication to work correctly, it must be taken as your doctor has directed. It is best to take this medicine at the same time each day in order to maintain a constant blood sugar level. It is important, therefore, to try not to miss any doses of this medication. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. Tell your doctor if you feel any side effects from missing a dose of this drug. Diabetics who are taking oral antidiabetic medication may need to be switched to insulin if they develop diabetic coma, have a severe infection, are scheduled for major surgery, or become pregnant. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Diarrhea, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach discomfort, stomach pain, or vomiting. These side effects usually disappear during treatment, as your body adjusts to the medication. Chlorpropamide may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Use caution during exposure to the sun. You may want to wear protective clothing and sunglasses. Use an effective sunscreen, and avoid exposure to sunlamps. Major. If any side effects are persistent or particularly bothersome, it is important to notify your doctor. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about dark urine, fatigue, itching of the skin, light-colored stools, sore throat and fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. Chlorpropamide can also cause retention of body water, which in turn can lead to drowsiness; muscle cramps; seizures; swelling or puffiness of the face, hands, or ankles; and tiredness or weakness. IT IS IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you notice any of these side effects. INTERACTIONS Chlorpropamide interacts with a number of medications: 1. Chloramphenicol, fenfluramine, guanethidine, insulin, miconazole, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, oxyphenbutazone, oxytetracycline, phenylbutazone, probenecid, aspirin or other salicylates, sulfinpyrazone, or sulfonamide antibiotics, when combined with chlorpropamide, can lower blood sugar levels--sometimes to dangerously low levels. 2. Thyroid hormones, dextrothyroxine, epinephrine, phenytoin, thiazide diuretics (water pills), or cortisone-like medications (such as dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, and prednisone), when combined with chlorpropamide, can actually increase blood sugar levels. 3. Rifampin can decrease the blood levels of chlorpropamide, which can lead to a decrease in its effectiveness. 4. Antidiabetic medications can increase the effects of anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin), which can lead to bleeding complications. 5. Beta-blocking medications (acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, carteolol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, and timolol), combined with chlorpropamide, can result in either high or low blood sugar levels. Beta blockers can also mask the symptoms of low blood sugar, which can be dangerous. 6. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication (unless otherwise directed by your doctor). Some patients who take this medicine suffer nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain, pounding headache, sweating, or redness of the face and skin when they drink alcohol. Also, large amounts of alcohol can lower blood sugar to dangerously low levels. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * It is important to tell your doctor if you have ever had unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or to any sulfa medication (sulfonamide antibiotics, acetazolamide, diuretics {water pills}, or other oral antidiabetics). * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney disease, liver disease, severe infection, or thyroid disease. * Follow the special diet that your doctor gave you. This is an essential part of controlling your blood sugar and is necessary in order for this medicine to work properly. * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. * Test for sugar in your urine as directed by your doctor. It is a convenient way to determine whether or not your diabetes is being controlled by this medicine. * Eat or drink something containing sugar right away if you experience any symptoms of low blood sugar (such as anxiety, chills, cold sweats, cool or pale skin, drowsiness, excessive hunger, headache, nausea, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, shakiness, or unusual tiredness or weakness). It is important that your family and friends know the symptoms of low blood sugar and what to do if they observe any of these symptoms in you. * Even if the symptoms of low blood sugar are corrected by eating or drinking sugar, it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible after experiencing them. The blood-sugar-lowering effects of this medicine can last for hours, and the symptoms may return during this period. Good sources of sugar are orange juice, corn syrup, honey, sugar cubes, and table sugar. You are at greatest risk of developing low blood sugar if you skip or delay meals, exercise more than usual, cannot eat because of nausea or vomiting, or drink large amounts of alcohol. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Since extensive studies have not yet been conducted, it is not known whether this medication can cause problems when administered to a pregnant woman. Cautious use of this medication is thus warranted. It is also important to tell your doctor if you are currently breast-feeding an infant. It has been determined that this medicine passes into breast milk. For this reason this product is not recommended for use by a woman who is breast-feeding. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.