Drug interactions
Chlorpropamide + Dexamethasone
Severity: Moderate
Chlorpropamide and Dexamethasone: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Dexamethasone raises blood glucose and can offset the glucose-lowering action of chlorpropamide. Patients with diabetes may lose glycemic control, particularly during sustained or high-dose steroid courses. Glucose may rise again when the steroid is withdrawn, with a risk of hypoglycemia if the sulfonylurea dose was increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorpropamide and Dexamethasone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Chlorpropamide belongs to Endocrine; Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids increase hepatic gluconeogenesis and peripheral insulin resistance, opposing the insulin secretagogue effect of the sulfonylurea.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose closely during dexamethasone therapy and adjust the antidiabetic regimen as needed. Reassess doses and watch for hypoglycemia when the steroid is tapered or stopped.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Dexamethasone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dexamethasone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Varicella virus vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Yellow fever vaccine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Chlorpropamide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorpropamide with Dexamethasone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorpropamide and Dexamethasone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Dexamethasone raises blood glucose and can offset the glucose-lowering action of chlorpropamide. Patients with diabetes may lose glycemic control, particularly during sustained or high-dose steroid courses. Glucose may rise again when the steroid is withdrawn, with a risk of hypoglycemia if the sulfonylurea dose was increased.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorpropamide and Dexamethasone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood glucose closely during dexamethasone therapy and adjust the antidiabetic regimen as needed. Reassess doses and watch for hypoglycemia when the steroid is tapered or stopped.
What other medicines interact with Dexamethasone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dexamethasone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Mifepristone, Rilpivirine. The full list is on the Dexamethasone page.
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