$Unique_ID{BRK01883}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{CHLORPROPAMIDE}
$Subject{chlorpropamide (various manufacturers)
Diabinese (Pfizer)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Diabinese*0188301.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


CHLORPROPAMIDE
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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 other types 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--just what you are trying to avoid.
     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,
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 is
thus warranted.  It is also important to tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  It has been determined that this medicine passes
into breast milk.  This product is not recommended for use by a woman who is
breast-feeding.

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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.
