Acetohexamide (chlorpropamide)

What is chlorpropamide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?

Chlorpropamide is AN oral blood sugar-lowering drug in an exceedingly category of medicines for polygenic disease treatment referred to as sulfonylureas. it's one amongst the primary four antidiabetics to be wont to manage sort II polygenic disease and it's usually stated as a primary generation sulfonylurea. The second generation sulfonylureas square measure glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), Micronase (Micronase), and glimepiride (Amaryl). the first distinction between the primary and second generation sulfonylureas is within the means they're eliminated from the body. As a result, second generation sulfonylureas sometimes square measure taken less often daily than initial generation sulfonylureas and usually square measure most popular once there's poor perform of the kidneys. The second generation sulfonylureas were initial utilized in the us in 1984. The government agency approved chlorpropamide in Gregorian calendar month 1958.

All sulfonylureas lower glucose (glucose) by increasing the discharge of hypoglycaemic agent from the duct gland. (Insulin is that the secretion that lowers the glucose level.)

Approximately ninetieth of patients with polygenic disease have sort II polygenic disease, once referred to as adult-onset diabetes mell mellitus. sort II polygenic disease sometimes happens in adults and is related to fat and a robust case history of polygenic disease. the lack to regulate aldohexose|blood sugar|glucose} in sort II polygenic disease is caused by reduced hypoglycaemic agent unleash by the duct gland also as belittled removal of glucose from the blood by the body's cells.

What brand names are available for chlorpropamide?

Diabinese

Is chlorpropamide available as a generic drug?

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

Do I need a prescription for chlorpropamide?

Yes

What are the side effects of chlorpropamide?

Chlorpropamide has similar side effects as other sulfonylureas.
The most common side effects of sulfonylureas are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Diarrhea
• Headache

The above symptoms usually are avoided if the drug is ingested with a meal.
Hypoglycemia may occur during sulfonylurea therapy. Symptoms and signs include:

• hunger,
• nausea,
•  tiredness,
• perspiration,
• headache,
• heart palpitations,
• numbness around the mouth,
• tingling of the fingers,
• tremors,
• muscle weakness,
• blurred vision,
• sensation of cold,
• excessive yawning,
• irritability,
• confusion, or
• loss of consciousness.

All sulfonylureas can lower blood sugar (glucose levels) to the point of causing symptoms and signs (hypoglycemia). Therefore, these agents must be used carefully with patients who have other physical or medical factors that may lower their blood glucose. These factors include:

• kidney or liver disease,
• poor food intake,
• alcohol use, or
• participation in heavy exercise.

Sulfonylureas may cause:

• weight gain,
• sun sensitivity (skin rash), and
• allergic-type skin-reactions such as itching and hives..

Rarely, blood disorders occur; for example, low white cell counts or low red cell counts.
Fluid retention and swelling of the body due to jaundice, hepatitis, or a low blood sodium concentrate occur rarely.

What is the dosage for chlorpropamide?

• The recommended dose for middle-aged stable diabetic patients is 250 mg daily. The dose may be increased or decreased by 50 to 125 mg daily at 3 to 5 day intervals.
• Older patients are started at 100 to 125 mg daily. The usual dose maintenance dose is 100 to 500 mg daily.
• Chlorpropamide should be taken 30 minutes before meals.

Which drugs or supplements interact with chlorpropamide?

Drugs that may interact with chlorpropamide and increase the risk of hypoglycemia include:

• Blood thinning agents warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• chloramphenicol (Ak-Chlor)
• clofibrate (Atromid)
• Alcohol
• MAO inhibitors including tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including ibuprofen (Motrin), and aspirin
• Sulfonamides including sulfamethoxazole (Gantanol), phenylbutazone (Azolid), and drugs that make urine more acidic including ammonium chloride.

Diuretics including hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril) and furosemide (Lasix) may increase blood glucose, reducing the effect of chlorpropamide.
AAlcohol may interact with chlorpropamide, to cause moderate to severe facial flushing (increased flow of blood to the face) and an increase in facial temperature.
Beta-blockers may lower or increase glucose levels when used alone. When used with sulfonylureas, beta-blocking drugs may interfere with glucose lowering by the sulfonylureas. In addition, beta-blockers can blunt some of the body's protective responses to hypoglycemia, for example, increased heart rate, thus making it difficult for patients to recognize hypoglycemia. This notwithstanding, beta-blockers have been used successfully in diabetic patients and have been associated with improved survival in diabetics with high blood pressure

Is chlorpropamide safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

Very high doses of first generation sulfonylureas have been harmful to fetuses in animal studies. No adequate safety and efficacy studies have been conducted in humans. Therefore, sulfonylureas generally are not a good choice for pregnant women.
Chlorpropamide is excreted in breast milk. Because hypoglycemia may occur in the infant who breastfeeds from a mother taking chlorpropamide, either formula feedings or discontinuation of chlorpropamide is strongly recommended in females who are nursing.

What else should I know about chlorpropamide?

What preparations of chlorpropamide are available?

Tablets: 100 or 250 mg

How should I keep chlorpropamide stored?

Chlorpropamide should be stored at room temperature, 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F) in an air-tight container..

Summary

Chlorpropamide (Diabinese) is an oral medication used to strictly control blood sugar (gluclose) levels in people with diabetes. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and pregnancy safety information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.