CHLORPROPAMIDE IN IDIOPATHIC DIABETES INSIPIDUS

Chlorpropamide, 250-500 mg. daily, has proved to be highly effective in four patients suffering from idiopathic diabetes insipidus (IDI), bringing the output of urine to normal values. In the same patients this drug was more active than hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) and ethacrynic acid (ETA). During chlorpropamide treatment, the kidney partly gained its concentrating capacity, CH2O reached negative values, and during water loading the kidney was incapable of producing normally diluted urine. Administration of sodium chloride in excess (10 Gm. per day) did not increase the diuresis. In one patient kept on 500 mg. of chlorpropamide, hypoglycemic crises were noted which disappeared after reducing the dose by half. It has been concluded that chlorpropamide acts as an ADH-like substance. © 1969.