Abstract
The effect of chlorpropamide and water deprivation test on free water clearance was investigated in 10 patients with diabetes insipidus. It was found that in patients in whom negativation of free water clearance was obtained during the water deprivation test, chlorpromide induced a more prompt and pronounced effect. This was interpreted as indicating a central action of the drug on antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release. A potentiating effect on persisting minute amounts of endogenous ADH is also postulated because of the negativation of free water clearance by chlorpropamide in patients in whom no release of endogenous ADH was achieved by water deprivation test. These results suggest a dual action of chlorpropamide, its stimulating effect resulting in greater antidiuresis. The water deprivation test can reveal the possibility of the drug to exert such an action.