Type of medicine: antidiabetic
Generic and brand names: chlorpropamide, oral
This medicine helps control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
This medicine may be used alone or along with other diabetes medicines.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Also tell your healthcare provider if you currently have an infection or are scheduled to have surgery.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Your healthcare provider may prescribe insulin during pregnancy and breast-feeding as a safer way to control blood sugar levels.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes, at the same time every day. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Do not miss doses or take more than prescribed.
Take this medicine with a meal.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: hunger, nausea, anxiety, blurred vision, sweating, extreme weakness, drowsiness, fainting, tremors, stomach pain, confusion, seizures, coma.
Some medicines used to treat diabetes have been shown to increase the risk of heart disease. It is not known if this medicine increases your risk. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Usually you will take this medicine while you follow a diet and exercise program prescribed by your healthcare provider.
If your healthcare provider wants you to test your blood sugar at home, follow his or her directions carefully. You need to check your blood sugar daily. Keep records of your blood sugar readings and bring this with you to your appointments with your provider.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Talk to your healthcare provider before you take other medicines, including nonprescription products. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur if you miss or delay meals, drink too much alcohol, take too much medicine, or exercise more than usual. Symptoms of low blood sugar include confusion, shaking, weakness, strong hunger, cold sweats, headache, nausea, vision problems, and feeling faint. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. You can also eat honey or candy, or drink a glass of orange juice or nondiet soda to quickly raise your blood sugar level. Do not use chocolate because the fat content slows down the sugar entering the bloodstream.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion when you are exposed to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. Carry an ID card or medical ID bracelet saying that you have diabetes. If you are unconscious, this makes sure that emergency healthcare providers know that you are a diabetic and need special care.
This medicine may cause vision problems, drowsiness, or dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat); seizures, fainting.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unusual tiredness or weakness; dark urine; fever; sore throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; very light colored bowel movements; yellowish eyes or skin; confusion; trouble concentrating; shaking; weakness; strong hunger; sweating; headache; nausea; vision problems; feeling faint.
Other: Heartburn, diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of appetite, rash, itching, sensitivity to the sun, constipation, gas, weight gain.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Many medicines may change how well this medicine controls your blood sugar. Be sure to tell the healthcare provider who prescribed this medicine about any other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription products. Also, tell any other healthcare providers who treat you that you are taking this medicine for diabetes.
Many nonprescription products contain sugar, alcohol, or other ingredients that may interfere with this medicine or increase your blood sugar. Check product labels for warnings for diabetics or ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for advice.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
