Chlorpropamide

Chlorpropamide is an oral blood-glucose-lowering drug of the sulfonylurea class. Chlorpropamide is a white, crystalline powder that has a slight odor. It is practically insoluble in water, at pH 7.3 (solubility at pH 6 is 2.2 mg/ml). It is soluble in alcohol and moderately soluble in chloroform. Chemically, chlorpropamide is 1-[(p-Chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3-propylurea and has the structural formula:
Molecular formula: C10H13CIN2O3S Molecular weight: 276.74
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Chlorpropamide appears to lower the blood glucose acutely by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas, an effect dependent upon functioning beta cells in the pancreatic islets. Extrapancreatic effects may play a part in the mechanism of action of oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic drugs. While chlorpropamide is a sulfonamide derivative, it is devoid of antibacterial activity.
Chlorpropamide may also prove effective in controlling certain patients who have experienced primary or secondary failure to other sulfonylurea agents.
Chlorpropamide does not interfere with the usual tests to detect albumin in the urine.