Diabinese

Product Information Change Font Size The following information is a summary about Diabinese. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions. What is chlorpropamide? Chlorpropamide is in a class of drugs called sulfonylureas. It is used to help control blood sugar levels. Chlorpropamide is used to treat type 2 diabetes along with diet, exercise, and insulin therapy, if necessary. Chlorpropamide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. What is the most important information I should know about chlorpropamide? Treatment with chlorpropamide may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to treatment of diabetes with diet alone or diet plus insulin. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of treatment with chlorpropamide. Know the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat, sweating, tremor, and nausea. Carry a piece of hard candy or glucose tablets with you to treat episodes of low blood sugar. Follow diet, medication, and exercise routines closely. Changing any of them can affect your blood sugar levels. Do not change your dose of chlorpropamide without first talking to your doctor. Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpropamide? Before taking chlorpropamide, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; have liver disease; have thyroid disease; have type 1 diabetes; have a serious infection, illness, or injury; or need surgery. You may not be able to take chlorpropamide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Patients 65 years of age and older may have a stronger reaction to chlorpropamide and may require a reduced dose. Chlorpropamide is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether chlorpropamide will be harmful to an unborn baby. Insulin is usually the drug of choice for controlling diabetes during pregnancy. Do not take chlorpropamide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Chlorpropamide passes into breast milk and may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in a nursing infant. Do not take chlorpropamide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How should I take chlorpropamide? Take chlorpropamide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Chlorpropamide is usually taken before breakfast or the first main meal if it is taken once a day, or before meals if it is taken multiple times each day. Follow your doctor's instructions. Do not change your dose of chlorpropamide without first talking to your doctor. It is important to take chlorpropamide regularly to get the most benefit. Your healthcare provider may recommend regular monitoring of blood sugar levels with blood or urine tests. Store chlorpropamide at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a chlorpropamide overdose include hunger, nausea, anxiety, cold sweats, weakness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and coma. What should I avoid while taking chlorpropamide? Follow diet, medication, and exercise routines closely. Changing any of these things can effect your blood sugar levels. Avoid alcohol. It lowers blood sugar and may interfere with your diabetes treatment. Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before you undergo any surgery. Do not take any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal cough, cold, allergy, pain, or weight loss medications without first talking to your doctor. Chlorpropamide side effects Stop taking chlorpropamide and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives). Other, less serious side effects from chlorpropamide result mostly from blood sugar levels that are either too high or too low. You should be familiar with the symptoms of both high and low blood sugar levels and know how to treat both conditions. Also, be sure your family and close friends know how to help you in an emergency situation. Low blood sugar may occur when too much chlorpropamide is taken; when meals are missed or delayed; if you exercise more than usual; during illness, especially with vomiting or diarrhea; if you take other medications; after drinking alcohol; and in other situations. Hypoglycemia or Low blood sugar has the following symptoms: shaking; headache; cold sweats; pale, cool skin; anxiety; and difficulty concentrating. Keep hard, sugary candy; chocolate; fruit juice; or glucose tablets on hand to treat episodes of low blood sugar. Increased blood sugar may occur when not enough chlorpropamide is taken; if you eat significantly more food than usual; if you exercise less than usual; if you take other medications; during fever or other illness; and in other situations. Hyperglycemia or High blood sugar has the following symptoms: increased thirst, increased hunger, and increased urination. There may be an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) complications with the use of chlorpropamide when compared to the treatment of diabetes with diet or diet plus insulin. The long-term use of chlorpropamide should be discussed with your doctor. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. What other drugs will affect chlorpropamide? Many other medicines may increase or decrease the effects of chlorpropamide or affect your condition. Before taking chlorpropamide, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: aspirin or another salicylate such as magnesium/choline salicylate (Trilisate), salsalate (Disalcid, others), choline salicylate (Arthropan), magnesium salicylate (Magan), or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol); a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), and others; a sulfa-based drug such as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra), sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin), or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine); a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil); a beta-blocker such as propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), metoprolol (Lopressor), and others; a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril), and others; a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol, others), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others), and others; a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin, Permitil), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan), and others; phenytoin (Dilantin); isoniazid (Nydrazid); or prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal cough, cold, allergy, or weight loss medications. You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with chlorpropamide or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. Where can I get more information? Your pharmacist has additional information about chlorpropamide written for health professionals that you may read. What does my medication look like? Chlorpropamide is available with a prescription under the brand name Diabinese. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Diabinese 100 mg--blue, D-shaped, scored tablets Diabinese 250 mg--blue, D-shaped, scored tablets Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.